When “I’m Like a Bird” came out in 2000, I kinda liked it. It was different from what was being played on the radio (always a relief) and since I was a B&N music manager at the time, I was constantly on the lookout for new and cool stuff. Then a couple of tracks from Whoa Nelly popped up on in-store play, and I started feeling the burnout. By the time her second single was released, I was totally over the whole thing, and I consequently ignored Folklore, her 2003 release.

All this brings me to her new album Loose, which I just got the other day. I was first turned on to it when I heard the track “Promiscuous,” which didn’t sound anything like the Nelly Furtado I remembered. Featuring Timbaland and a groovy club beat, it got stuck in me head. In a good way. Now that I’ve heard the whole album, I can see why she’s getting compared to Gwen Stefani, but I think Nelly really brings her own flavor to the disc. I dig the frenetic Spanish “No Hay Igual,” and “All Good Things” is a solid track despite the Coldplay association. It’s fun, varied, and good for working out, cleaning house, or chilling after a long night. Check it.