Bluebird of Happiness

As the star of TV’s <i>Braxton Family Values</i>, Tamar Braxton's on-screen persona is colourful and brash, but her fifth album unveils a more mellow and soulful side. One of a number of polished, contemporary R&B ballads, “Blind”, with its sublime whistle note, features her voice at its best: powerful and effortless as she climbs from husky tones to great heights. However, there’s also appealing playfulness within the feel-good track “Pick Me Up” and the reggae-tinged “Run Run”. Braxton claims this will be her last album, and it’s a stylish and assured note to bow out on.