21st Century Fox

21st Century Fox is a competent follow-up to Wells' stellar Watch Out. Placing more emphasis on electro-pop/R&B grooves than its understated predecessor, the selections range from the mystical title track to the funky "Midnight Dancer" and vibrant "S." On "21st Century Fox," an uncanny back-alley groove gives way to Wells' calm delivery of intriguing lines like, "Picture the streets filled with seven-foot freaks/Dressed like outer-space Indian maidens/Leather and feathers completely together/They'll be totally dominating." She even gets a bit of her trademark scatting in during the song's fade, providing another unexpected element to the track's curiosity value. Meanwhile, she lets loose with impassioned belting and delayed attacks (à la Phyllis Hyman) on the emotive ballad "Why Can't We Be Lovers." Loyal listeners of Wells' previous album may at first be taken aback by the presence of more street-savvy, urban-contemporary aspects in place of restrained, smooth-groove stylings. But as far as effectively carrying out musical themes goes (with a number of fun ones here), 21st Century Fox is every bit as solid and enjoyable as Watch Out. ~ Justin M. Kantor, Rovi