This is the sixth studio album from Alecia Moore, aka Pink, in 12 years, which shows remarkable longevity for a pop star. And the reason for her success is, despite not always being critically acclaimed, she consistently churns out the hook-fuelled hits, and has gained fans with her righteous, every-girl persona. She's occasionally crass, often defiant, and frequently amusing, and even if the songs utilise as many cliches as hooks, her delivery feels fresh.
The Truth About Love offers 17 tracks ranging from the specific struggle of a walk of shame (on the aptly titled Walk of Shame), to a generational call to arms (Are We All We Are), a swooning romantic ballad (Just Give Me a Reason which she shares with Fun lead singer Nate Ruess), to a forceful break-up mantra, and potentially one of the pop hits of the year Blow Me One Last Kiss.
What lets the album down are the tracks that make almost no impact (Beam Me Up, and Where Did the Beat Go? seem aimless by comparison) or just make you want to push stop (How Come You're Not Here, Slut Like You).
Guest features from Lily Allen and Eminem both fit nicely, but she's at her strongest when she's being a little vulnerable or stridently empowered, and that powerhouse voice gets to soar through big melodies and throw out cutting lyrics.
Stars: 3/5
-TimeOut
