Marie-Mai - Version 3.0 (2009)

Version 3.0 sounds like the name of a rebooted computer program, which makes it the perfect title for French-Canadian singer Marie-Mai's third studio album. Her 2004 debut, Inoxydable, was too processed and packaged, much like her time on the reality TV show Star Academie. Contrarily, her second album, Dangereuse Attraction, jumped too far afield from her core talent. In many ways, Mai's career trajectory mirrors that of Kelly Clarkson, whose albums went from overworked to overwrought. Clarkson finally found her stride on All I Ever Wanted, and Mai seems to have done the same thing on her third release, whose perfect pop/rock balance proves that she is growing as a performer, songwriter, and vocalist. Once again, Mai has teamed up with Fred St-Gelais, and the content is sharper and crisper than the duo's previous work. "Tout" and "Secrets" toe the line between music markets while still remaining enjoyable, and both suggest that Mai's concert ticket sales will rise, thanks to the songs' anthemic hooks. "Pour Une Fois" is simply a beautiful vocal, and perhaps Mai's strongest recording to date. The overall record doesn't feel slow or sporadic, nor does it seem forced; Mai, now six years deep into her career, boasts a new confidence in her charging anthems and ballads, which takes her from a pop singer to a recording artist. Version 3.0 proves that the third time's a charm, and for Marie-Mai, it should lead to even more success.