Jigsaw [U.S. Import]

Lady Sovereign's debut album was the sound of young London coming right off the streets. The grime rapper's sophomore release, Jigsaw, has the same amount of saucy attitude as the first album, Public Warning, and there are almost as many laughable punch lines from the S-O-V. The thin electro-meets-grime-meets-indie productions from the returning Medasyn mix Panic at the Disco, La Roux, and Rockwell's "Somebody's Watching Me" in varying amounts, adding the occasional live drummer, chamber orchestra, or Cure sample in an effort to keep things interesting. The "top-notch bitch" is triggered when the percussive "I Got the Goods" gets simple, making a memorable chorus out of nothing but boasts. "On & On" features "I'm just trying to blow up like implants," "Food Play" is a fun mix of food and sex that could thrill the South Park character Chef, and the magic of "Guitar" lies in its wonderfully off-key "If I could play guitar then I'd play it/But I can't so I'll just siiiiiiiinnnnnnng." These small victories contrast with meaningless anthems ("Let's Be Mates") and trying soul-searchers (the title cut). ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide