This Woman

Even at 22, LeAnn Rimes retains her creepy preternatural maturity, holding tight to the sack of weird throaty vocal tricks that made her sound grown-up at 13. But in better news, she’s done making dance-pop records (remember 2002’s Twisted Angel?). ”With You,” ”I Got It Bad,” and ”Something’s Gotta Give” are serious roll-the-windows-down country-radio fun, and on This Woman‘s dreamy ”Afraid to Fall,” she quits acting like she’s an adult and just is one…and the difference is joyfully clear.