CARRIE UNDERWOOD

Cry pretty 5/10

Former American Idol winner underwood is at her most handson for her sixth album, serving as co-producer as well as co-writing nine of its 13 tracks. Flagged by her Super Bowl half-time ludacris duet “The Champion”, it’s a solid if unsurprising collection of slick modern country, largely distinguished by her go-to country twang power balladry (the title track; “love Wins”). There’s a touch more light-and-shade to the melodrama of “ghosts In The Stereo” and “That Song We used To Make love To”, and a little light comic relief on “Drinking Alone”, but overall it’s a box-ticking collection unlikely to broaden her mainstream fanbase.