LOOSE - NELLY FURTADO
Nelly Furtado suffered the dreaded sophomore slump with the underwhelming sales of 2003’s “Folklore,” despite the album’s ingenuity. On her third set, “Loose,” the eclectic singer offers a more varied mix of pop, hip-hop and Latin, showcasing not only her own dexterity but that of chief producer Timbaland as well. While “No Hay Igual” and “Te Busque” featuring Juanes tap into Furtado’s Portuguese roots, cuts like “Afraid” featuring Attitude preserve her folksy charm. The techno-pop appeal of the Timbaland-assisted lead single “Promiscuous” has granted the song steady airplay and a spotlight in a Verizon commercial, while tracks like “Showtime” and “Wait for You” let Furtado’s warm vocals prevail over less-adorned production. Elsewhere, she adopts Gwen Stefani’s ’80s vibe and schoolgirl chants (”Maneater,” “Do It”), making “Loose” a welcome exercise in versatility. Billboard
