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
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
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,
is a welcome return from
, a refreshing and ebullient collection that balances emotional introspection with pure physical joy. ~ Neil Z. Yeung