Over five years after the release of her sophomore set All I Need, English pop vocalist Louisa Rose Allen returned with Foxes third full-length, The Kick. Like similar early-2020s albums from Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga, and Kylie Minogue, the LP is a dose of escapist bliss, distracting from real-world anxiety and uncertainty with a dozen gems to dance the cares away. Sleeker and more polished than the R&B-tinged electro anthems on 2016s All I Need, The Kick puts a breezy and euphoric spin on Allens brand of synth-washed dance pop, echoing dancefloor filler by contemporaries like Carly Rae Jepsen and Charli XCX ("Dance Magic," "Gentleman"). "Sister Ray" is the clear standout, a euphoric thrill that channels Robyns beat-driven urgency, while the throwback pop/rock vibes of the title track and "Potential" sound like Allen fronting the 1975. Though primarily upbeat, the album also features the soft and sensual "Body Suit," a sax-backed slow jam that rewards emotional vulnerability with safety and comfort, and "Too Much Colour," an angelic, piano-based comedown. Mature and focused, The Kick is a welcome return from Allen, a refreshing and ebullient collection that balances emotional introspection with pure physical joy. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

Rovi