EDITORS’ NOTES

Vocalist/songwriter Katy B culled through more than 40 songs for the follow-up to her Mercury Prize–nominated 2011 debut, On a Mission, and the result is a vibrant collection of dance-oriented pop with remarkable emotional depth. Produced primarily by frequent collaborator Geeneus, Little Red is filled with peak-hour sounds—offering everything from the bristling house of the aptly named “5 AM” to the techno-influenced throb of “I Like You”. But there’s more to Katy B than dance floor domination: “Crying for No Reason” is a soaring ballad that nods to classic Madonna, the duet with Jessie Ware (“Aaliyah”) offers a jealousy-fueled clubland psychodrama while the seductive melody of “Everything” is a subtly crafted, deliriously catchy highlight.