RED VINYL WITH POSTER

After a pining pop debut (I Can't Let Go) that was followed by the ill-fated romances of a dramatic, elaborately arranged double album (Memoir of a Sparklemuffin), Suki Waterhouse offers up a set of songs that feel much more down-to-earth. Partly influenced by favorite acts from her formative years ranging from the Stone Roses and PJ Harvey to T. Rex, it's a more uplifting, rock-injected album written after the birth of her first child (with her husband, fellow actor Robert Pattinson). Waterhouse's Island Records debut, it was recorded with writer/producers including the National's Aaron Dessner (Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams), who hosted recording sessions at his Long Pond studio in upstate New York. Some of the other collaborators included Amy Allen (Sabrina Carpenter, Harry Styles), Joel Little (Taylor Swift, Lorde), and Dan Wilson (Adele, P!nk). None other than Mick Fleetwood plays on one of the album's warmer entries, the '70s-inflected "Morals," a song about loving someone whom others want too. While Waterhouse has credited motherhood and her new identity as a nurturer for some the change in tone on this album, "Morals" is one of many songs here about relationship challenges, intimacy, and romantic affection. The track list opens, for instance, with a horn-like synth fanfare on the slinky, celebratory "Back in Love." Among its other romantic ventures are the musically and lyrically strutting "Any Man" ("I can make any man fall/It's a criminal kind of mind control"), the bass-led slow jam "When I Get Drunk (I Want You Boy)," and the more earnest, stripped-back "Seasons," one of the Dessner co-writes. While it's not always clear on Loveland if Waterhouse is singing about a past, present, or observed relationship, the sassy, skittery, love-hate rocker "Tiny Raisin" includes the lines "That's his name on my charm/That's my kid in his arms," and highlight "Weirdo" closes the album with a woozy, intimate love song about liking every little quirk about someone and missing them when they're away (in this case, "on set"). On the subject of musical inspirations, another highlight, "Jukebox," is a dancy pop/rock bop about listening to favorite songs. While fitting onto one disc, Loveland is another generous offering from Waterhouse at 14 tracks (a limited-edition colored vinyl run includes bonus track "18") and the type of album one can dance around to at home with a drink in hand, whether alone or with the promise of company on the way.

A1        Back in Love
A2        Any Man
A3        Happy With It
A4        Notting Hill
A5        Teardrops
A6        When I Get Drunk (I Want You Boy)
A7        Jukebox
B1        Seasons
B2        Tiny Raisin
B3        Almost
B4        Puppy Dog Eyes
B5        Morals
B6        Loveland
B7        Weirdo