Over five years after the release of her sophomore set All I Need, English pop vocalist Louisa Rose Allen returned with Foxes' third full-length, The Kick. Like similar early-2020s albums from Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga, and Kylie Minogue, the LP is a dose of escapist bliss, distracting from real-world anxiety and uncertainty with a dozen gems to dance the cares away. Sleeker and more polished than the R&B-tinged electro anthems on 2016's All I Need, The Kick puts a breezy and euphoric spin on Allen's brand of synth-washed dance pop, echoing dancefloor filler by contemporaries like Carly Rae Jepsen and Charli XCX ("Dance Magic," "Gentleman"). "Sister Ray" is the clear standout, a euphoric thrill that channels Robyn's beat-driven urgency, while the throwback pop/rock vibes of the title track and "Potential" sound like Allen fronting the 1975. Though primarily upbeat, the album also features the soft and sensual "Body Suit," a sax-backed slow jam that rewards emotional vulnerability with safety and comfort, and "Too Much Colour," an angelic, piano-based comedown. Mature and focused, The Kick is a welcome return from Allen, a refreshing and ebullient collection that balances emotional introspection with pure physical joy. ~ Neil Z. Yeung, Rovi

1		Sister Ray
2		The Kick
3		Growing on Me
4		Potential
5		Dance Magic
6		Body Suit
7		Absolute
8		Two Kinds of Silence
9		Forgive Yourself
10		Gentleman
11		Sky Love
12		Too Much Colour
13		Friends in the Corner
14		Kathleen
15		Love Not Loving You
16		Hollywood
17		Dance
18		Woman
19		Courage
20		Kathleen [Live Acoustic]