THIS West Londoner comes with a big reputation for talent as a singer-songwriter and Daydreams has been lauded for its star quality.

Call me a cynic, but I wonder how many of the platitudes heading her way are to do with her musical ability or her undoubtedly brave fight against Cystic Fibrosis. Vocally she reminds nominally of Dido but her lyrics - monologues about broken relationships and missed opportunities - are not as carefully constructed or immediately catchy as the singer she clearly aspires to be.

Her songs are flat. They don't leap up and grab you like such music should do. Daydreams is bland and it's monosyllabic. In short, all the songs are alike. If you like that song, fine.

But if like me, you find yourself track-skipping, then claims that this is "the album everyone will want to own" seem as empty as its content.

Updated: 11:32 Thursday, January 09, 2003