REVIEW: Leona Lewis's I Am

Rating: ★★★★ | B+

Leona Lewis is back, and she's got a fire under her feet. The UK X-factor winner has been largely ignored by the US market since her smash single "Bleeding Love" topped the charts for seven weeks in 2008, spurring her debut album, Spirit, to eight million in sales worldwide. Her follow-up, 2009's Echo, sold just 200k in the United States, and her third, 2012's Glassheart, failed even to crack the Billboard 200.

On I Am, Lewis faces this trend like a fighter, and goes a long way toward finding herself in the process. "First, it was heaven, everything roses and fire" she sings on the album's open track. On the second, she writes "I tripped and I stumbled, watched my world crumble. Sometimes you eat dirt, you live and you learn." And she has. "I'm a little wiser, reaching higher. It's a battle but I'm a fighter." Now, she's "coming back with the thunder." "This voice was getting loud, and it just wouldn't give in, cause I was made to sing."

"Stand By You" (Rachel Platten)

Listen: Stand By You » Rachel Platten

Fresh off her top 10 smash "Fight Song," Rachel Platten delivers the second blow of a one-two punch. If this is not another hit, I will be shocked.

REVIEW: Andra Day's Cheers to the Fall

Rating: ★★★★ | A-

One of the first lyrics of Andra Day's debut album is: "Well there's nothing I can sing now that ain't been sung before." And while that may be true, the way she sings it is nothing short of exceptional. Cheers to the Fall is an obeisance to a golden age of music, a loving, masterful homage to the legacy of artists like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington and, more recently, Amy Winehouse. Little new ground is covered, but the ease with which she covers it, the way in which she manages to sound both authentic and contemporary, is artistry, plain and simple.

Andra's voice is how you might imagine Rihanna would sound if she were to impersonate Nina Simone. The music touches on most of the major '50s, '60s, and '70s styles. "Whichever chord progressions move me, whether it's rock, jazz, doo-wop or soul, I'm going to put it together and not be worried about whether people can put it in a lane or not," she told Rolling Stone in July. No doubt it was her confidence and comfort with this canon that led none other than Stevie Wonder to take her under his wing when he heard her playing in a local nightclub. He introduced her to Adrian Gurvitz, who in turn signed her to his production company.

"Leave a Trace" (Chvrches)

Listen: Leave a Trace » Chvrches

In my humble opinion, Chvrches is one of the best new acts to emerge this decade. The electronic band will release their second studio album, Every Open Eye, on September 25. "Leave a Trace" is the lead single for that project. If you like it, also check out "Never Ending Circles" and "Clearest Blue," also available now on Spotify.

"Stressed Out" (Twenty One Pilots)

Listen: Stressed Out » Twenty One Pilots

"Stressed Out" is the third single from Twenty One Pilot's newest album, Blurryface, released by Fueled by Ramen in May of this year. It was produced by Mike Elizondo, who has produced or co-produced tracks for artists ranging from Eminem and 50 Cent ("In Da Club"), to Fiona Apple and Tegan and Sara.

"Power" (Leona Lewis)

Listen: Power » Leona Lewis (Spotify)

Ready for a short break from alternative music? No one could deny that X-Factor winner Leona Lewis is a vocal powerhouse. I can't say I've loved much of her work post "Bleeding Love" in 2008, but this chill (yet emotive) track from her upcoming album I Am is pretty nice.

"I Wanna Get Lost With You" (Stereophonics)

Listen: I Wanna Get Lost With You » Stereophonics

Welsh rock band Stereophonics have released eight studio albums, including five consecutive UK number one albums. Their ninth album, Keep the Village Alive, is scheduled for a September 11 release. "I Wanna Get Lost With You" is the second single from the new LP and arguably one of their best to date.