Betty Who's Movement and Slow Dancing EPs were so winning that fans wondered if she'd be able to expand her charms into a full-length album.
Who won over listeners with a bold, playful sound that made the most of '80s inspirations like
Whitney Houston as well as more contemporary influences such as
Robyn and
Katy Perry (a former tourmate of
Who's). Even more so than many artists, her style is so distinctive that her music lives or dies by the quality of the songwriting, and the tracks that originally caught listeners' attention are
Take Me When You Go's standouts. The
Houston-inspired "Somebody Loves You" is as vibrant as ever; "Heartbreak Dream" remains soaringly romantic; and "Alone Again" continues to charm with its flirtatious yet bittersweet melody and slowly shredding guitar solo, which gives even more cred to
Who's '80s devotion. The rest of the album is nothing less than pleasant, whether it's the breezy pop of "Just Like Me" or the fizzy "Runaways" and "All of You," both of which echo "Heartbreak Dream" while suggesting a more mature version of
Teenage Dream-era
Perry. Elsewhere, "Glory Days"' crystalline synths and gated drums make it one of the best new songs here, while "Better"'s hooks give its balladry some bite. ~ Heather Phares