Vanessa Hudgens brings a funky flavour to her second album Identified. The singer, better known as the shy Gabriella Montez in Disney's High School Musical movies, shows she's done some growing up since her debut release V, but she still has a long way to go.
It is obvious she is serious about making music but it's not enough to save this album from mediocrity, despite better production and songwriting.
The album opens with Last Night, a jumpy dance tune that gives listeners hopes of interesting things to follow. Unfortunately, it becomes a heavily digitised and vocally undemanding track. The ballad Don't Ask Why gives listeners a break from the album's digital synth pop with its simple acoustic guitar introduction and accompaniment.
Sneakernight is the best song of a fairly bad bunch and sees Hudgens imitating Beyonce in an energetic dance track that celebrates a night out on the town with friends.
Although it is an improvement on her debut release, Identified is still too full of bubblegum pop and Disney-inspired dance numbers to challenge more original artists.
Hudgens needs to develop a more mature sound if she wants to make a real impact.