The last time Mark Ronson released an album, it spawned a global hit. Four years later, it's just about safe to come out if you've been hiding from the ubiquitous megahit Uptown Funk.
If the list of contributors on his follow-up to Uptown Special is anything to go by, the London-born producer evidently feels no pressure to replicate his biggest song's success.
True, there are some familiar names in the mix for this concoction of mellow dancepop and laidback floorfillers; Miley Cyrus channels her godmother Dolly Parton on Nothing Breaks Like a Heart, Lykke Li takes on the disco-infused title track and lovelorn dancefloor heartbreaker 2AM, while Alicia Keys lends her voice to vibrant standout Truth.
Still, despite the marquee names, it's the less famous artists who arguably impress most. Indie-rock darling Angel Olsen's lazy drawl on True Blue is a stunner, as is young pop newcomer King Princess's turn on upbeat summer anthem Pieces of U and the sumptuous, shoulder-shimmying R'n'B of Why Hide, courtesy of Diana Gordon.
Ronson’s all-female chorus may not hit the mark on every track, but the spin of his glimmering discoball continues to cast an enjoyably chintzy hue across today’s pop scene.