Two singles, "Time of our Lives" and "Surfacing" were released off the record.

Unlike his 90s-era Canuck alt-rock heartthrob peers - see Jordy Birch, Edwin, et al. - he's managed to overcome the curse/blessing of his former band's sound and notoriety to succeed as a solo artist.

Usher's third release is packed with the same intense emotion and extravagant songwriting as his last disc, Morning Orbit, although there's no single that wows like Black Black Heart.

Here he settles into the role of Sade for Generation Y's indie rock kidlets, crafting rock-inspired chill-out music for booty accompaniment.

The standout is the stark, haunting cover of My Brilliant Beast's If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next.—Now Magazine[3] Official website