Nikki & Rich

Everything (Reprise)

By Genevieve Diesing
Published: January 14th, 2011 | 12:00am

Moments into listening to Everything, the debut album from powerhouse singer Nikki Leonti and producer Rich Velonskis—a.k.a. Nikki & Rich—it becomes remarkably obvious that this group is not going anywhere but the radio.

In a sense, the disc’s delicious hybrid of sassy pop music tinged with doo-wop is exactly what mainstream music has been lacking. The album’s supercharged, condensed energy is at its best on tracks like “The Next Best thing,” an ode to playing the field, or “Cat and Mouse,” an infectiously danceable commentary about—what else—playing the field.

Singer-songwriter Nikki Leonti’s vocal abilities are best compared to those of Amy Winehouse, and her range is admirable: she slides from brazen femme fatale to soulful songstress to loose-lipped word player. If only her songwriting could better support it.

At its worst, Everything contains the emotional sophistication of a junior high school romance, bemoaning problems like wussy dating prospects ("The Lead") in all seriousness. The other songs don’t get much deeper, and while Leonti’s delivery is stunning, her personality seems just as vague.

Yet at its best, Everything is an undeniably pleasurable listen and more than a little addictive. Our heads may not love it, but our ears don’t care.

Note: As of this posting, the release date for Everything has been delayed and is TBA.

Nikki & Rich MySpace page

Reprise Records