Following the empowered pop feminism of 2018s LM5, Britains Little Mix return with their sixth studio album, 2020s effusive and fun Confetti. Once again showcasing the vocal skills of Little Mix bandmates Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Jesy Nelson, the record is a dance-oriented production that balances sugary club hooks with lyrics about romance and relationships. Helping them achieve this sweetly attenuated balance are a handful of in-demand pop producers/songwriters, including Camille Purcell (aka Kamille), the Swedish duo Goldfingers, Raphaella, MNEK, and others. On LM5, Little Mix took a page out of Beyonces playbook, imbuing their songs with strong messages about women and society. On Confetti, while still striking a fierce and confident stance, they seem to take an intentionally lighter, more relaxed approach, with songs that favor good-time pop dazzle over any explicit feminist messaging. Its a balanced tone they strike with wry playfulness on the funky, minor-key title track, singing We wanna celebrate like we in the club every day/Got all my friends here with me/And I dont need ya, I dont need ya/Got this dress up on me/So I dont need your stress up on me. Equally engaging are cuts like the opening Break Up Song and the sparkling Holiday, both club-ready anthems that bring to mind a deft combination of Robyn and Rihanna. We also get the reggaeton-infused Sweet Melody, the kinetic, early-2000s hip-hop groove of Gloves Up, and the electronic pop of Nothing But My Feelings. As the title implies, Confetti is an album of brightly colored feel-good songs, meant to light your way to the dancefloor. ~ Matt Collar

Rovi