Kelly Rowland

"Like This" recasts Sunday school-approved soul singer Kelly Rowland as a harder, hotter crunk vixen of sorts, complete with a frugal tablas-and-synths beat, a cameo by Eve (where you been, girl?) and minimalist vocals that mostly hover around a three-note range. It's nothing spectacular, but it's a pleasant enough first single from her upcoming sophomore solo release. Problem is, Rowland can sing, and she needs to be spectacular to dig her solo career out from under Beyonce's omnipresent shadow.