★★½

The former frontwoman of The Bangin’ Rackettes, Clairy Browne, is branching out on her own.

And with her first solo album, Pool, comes an astonishing musical transformation. Browne has shrugged off her one-time bandmates together with their lush harmonies, and in their stead, donned subversive albeit powerful pop aspirations and ’90s R&B beats. It effectively ensures that Pool frames a decidedly mainstream but flawed makeover of the singer-songwriter’s signature retro-soul sensibilities.

For someone with Browne’s considerable talents, being pigeonholed into one musical genre must have been decidedly dissatisfying. In pursuing a new direction, she has found greater artistic freedom, but also a busy collection of ideas and influences. Everyone from Michael Jackson to Nicki Minaj, Madonna and Christina Aguilera gets a nod on Pool. And Browne’s collaborations with many LA movers and shakers add even more chefs to the kitchen. The opener, ‘Vanity Fair’, was co-written and produced by Rob Kleiner (The Weeknd, Kylie Minogue, Sia), Amanda ‘MNDR’ Warner (Mark Ronson, Charli XCX), and Gabriel Strangio (Kira Puru).

Packed with bombastic, candy-crushing pop, Pool is an ambitious and intriguing but ultimately frustrating solo debut.

Clairy Browne’sPoolis available now through Caroline.

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