Rating:Three star

THE former Blue Peter presenter's daughter has conjured up a distinctive 80s flavour on her new album - with negligible use of the traditional washing up bottle and sticky-backed plastic.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor has clawed her way up the ladder of cool following her lead vocals on last year's summer smash Groovejet (If This Ain't Love).

The album isn't too much of a departure from the number one single, incorporating the familiar housey beats such as latest release Take Me Home, but also includes more old-school synthesiser pop than bands of the era like Human League can shake a stick at.

The sultry songstress' album is sure to strengthen her position as one of the most fashionable women in pop - she's written and co-written an entire album based on the decade taste forgot - when it's in the middle of a revival. Has this woman got her finger on the pulse or what?

Each track has its own merits, such as Move This Mountain with its disco beats and church bells which accompany Sophie's distinctive upper-crust voice, Everything Falls Into Place and Murder On The Dancefloor, which has the potential to be another smash hit.

But the album as a whole needs a few listens before it really comes into its own.

MC