Compared to Lauryn Hill (by none other than Wyclef) and talked up by John Legend and Will.I.Am. (well, her album’s producer and guest star, but still) and hometown superstar Kardinal Offishall, Estelle is, in a word, fresh. Her album, Shine, came out last week to international success – most likely because the lastest North American single, “American Boy,” features Kanye West.

Shine is most definitely a solid offering with huge names offering up help on several tracks. I was definitely intrigued by Kardinal Offishall’s appearance on the album – the track, Magnificent, featuring the Toronto native is one of my favourites on the album. I’m sure lots of people have already made the UK soul-ish comparison to Amy Winehouse, but Estelle is known for blasting her pop contemporary for drug use and other indiscretions.

The album is upbeat, cheeky and almost as good a listen as Kanye’s last offering. She seems to have almost as much confidence in herself, too. If you missed her first album The 18th Day with UK hit 1980, it might be worth revisiting.