Pictures - Katie Melua

Method acting helps a bit: she navigates Norah Jones cabaret-jazzy swing on "It’s All In My Head" and channels Cilla Black on 60s styled torch song "If the Lights Go Out", before imagining herself as Eva Cassidy with a lazy, late night karaoke take on Leonard Cohen’s "In My Secret Life".

Revealingly, it’s the co-penned ditties without Batt that are most believable. The string-swept "What I Miss About You" is a savvy 'autobiographical' confession session that’s sure to have tabloid watchers pointing to her break-up with Kooks lead singer Luke Pritchard. Elsewhere flirtatious indie-Vegas-lounge itch "Perfect Circle" and mariachi popped waltz "Dirty Dice" find Katie finally ready to flaunt her own sex appeal.

- Miles Keylock