Folklore [Enhanced, Extra tracks]

Folklore showcases a more mature collection of songs which see Furtado dipping deep into her portugese roots for inspiration. Folklore is made up of 12 new tracks and has guest appearances from Caetano Veloso and Jarvis Chruch

One Trick Pony - This is a wonderful introduction to the album, opening with an epic strings arrangement from the Kronos Quartet. It then bursts into a wonderful pop song where Furtado sings about how she's different. A bit cliche, but the music and her vocals make up for it

Powerless - The First single from the album, a beautiful mix of Banjos and breakbeats. The song, attacking the media and its inclination to misrepresent its subjects is harsh and endearing at the same time. Her vocals are so powerful and harsh, as is the breakbeat. But at the same time she sings with passion and the banjo accompaniment makes it a feel good song.

Explode - Rumoured to be the Third single released. Furtado sings about her teenage years, and she herself has likened it to 1979 by the Smashing Pumpkins. Featuring Incubus guitarist Mike Einziger, this is a dark, in-your-face song about the teenage years. A well structured song

Try - The second single released from Folklore. This is a beautiful ballad which truly showcases her vocal talent. It starts an acoustic ballad and slowly it propels itself into a ballad full of emotion. Furtado's vocals towards the end of the song are truly amazing. The song is about the reality of love and that its not all perfect, but you have to roll with the punches.

Fresh off the boat - Jazzy vocals and and old skool vibe. She stretches her voice to the heights of nasality as she sings about how immigrants deal with their arrival in a new country. The song switches between english and portugese to convey how such an immigrant in truly a part of two different cultures. If you're sucker for a beat this song will have you moving

Forca - Nelly was commissioned to write a song for Euro2004. This is the result a banjo driven anthem featuring Bela Fleck on the banjo. Another song which features the portugese language. Close your eyes when you listen, you can't help but envision football stadiums chanting the chorus!

Grass is green - Ear pleasingly simple. Furtado sings about how we all lust after what we can't have. This is a mid tempo song where Furtado sings so passionately in the chorus. Check the bridge of the song, it is beautiful

Picture Perfect - Continuing the immigrant theme, Furtado sings a bluesy number. The soft verses carry the listener through to a series of epic choruses where Furtado sings "Please bring me along" each syllable complimented by the thrash of a cymbal. A guitar driven song featuring a simple bluesy piano solo.

Saturdays - This is folk. Recorded in one take, Furtado plays the guitar and sings about her days as a chamber maid. Featuring the gospel-like vocals of Canadian Solo artist Jarvis Church the song finds pace and gives you a true taste of Nelly Furtado, towards the end of the song she begins to laugh, but continues the recording.

Build you up - Showing a nice range of vocals surrounded by relatively simple music. This allows the listener to focus on the songs message about how people have a tendance to "Build you up only to tear you down"

Island of Wonder - Produced by Nelly Furtado's boyfriend, this is a lush and addictive arrangement of beats and percussion. With a guest appearance of Brazillian legend Caetano Veloso, he and Furtado switch the assumed gender roles as he sings the high notes, while she takes the low ones.

Childhood Dreams - A beautiful song. The moving introduction is played on a church organ, and the song then transcends into a simple ballad played on the harp. Here Furtado sustains haunting, stunning vocals. The longest song of the album at over 6 minutes as the song finds power at the end - this love song is a beautiful way to end the album

Bonus Track - Try Acoustic - Similar to the original, but instead featuring accompaniment from the Kronos Quartet, recorded in one take this is an opportunity to hear Furtado's live vocals. Every bit as beautiful as the original.

The CD also includes a promotional, limited edition of the Powerless video and access to a secret website where there is a competition to see Nelly live and over 15 minutes of video footage from her 2002 Burn in the Spotlight tour.

In all this a welcome return of Nelly Furtado, a heartfelt collection of songs each bringing you something new and different. This lady is truly doing her thing.

She covered all the bases; won a Grammy, opened for U2, collaborated with premier dance DJs and Hip-Hop divas, even had Elton John raving. When does she get chance to draw breath? Well, not only did she draw breath but she gave birth; her daughter Nevis was born in September after nine months production, then 'Folklore' was released in November, after just three.

This album, as the name 'Folklore' suggests, has a nostalgic theme. It explores her Portuguese heritage and multi-cultural upbringing as a first generation Canadian in Toronto, while mixing-in her new perceptions on life in the wake of fame and motherhood. On this album Nelly breaks away from samples and keeps it real, enlisting; the Kronos Quartet on strings, Bela Fleck, uniquely, on banjo and Brazilian maestro Caetano Veloso on vocals.

She described the album as reflecting how she has, “a foot in both worlds” and so she still finds room for some happy hooks, unabashed beats and tunes that pop-up to make that dancing foot itch. But it is a more mature album and that may disappoint the 'Baby Girl' fans. She is 'Trynna Finda Way', moving on, leaving 'the party' that was 'Whoa Nelly' and stretching her wings. She may have thought then that she wanted to fly away but she found she was happiest flying home, artistically and literally, leaving a new California home to return to Canada.

The album is a return home also; Nelly talent has grown as she has grown up. This album is definitely one to grow on, three stars now, the rest will come with time.