Degrassi Star makes Pop Debut

Andrea Lewis
Float Away
MapleMusic

Best known as the sassy Hazel on the latest iteration of the venerable Degrassi franchise (Degrassi: The Next Generation), Andrea Lewis has some solid backing on this her debut project. For "Float Away," the Toronto-based Lewis collaborates with producer Justin Gray and writer Curtis Richardson, who have previously worked with Joss Stone.

With a smooth sound best described as "pop meets soul," Lewis delivers a polished effort that demonstrates both her mature vocals (her silky voice belies her 20 years) and her songwriting ability (she co-wrote all of the 13 tracks). Considering her already established fanbase, Lewis plays it straight here, with the requisite G-rated tales of love, relationships and heartbreak.

If you've heard her singles "I'm Like (Ooh Oh)" and "Superwoman" (the corresponding video was recently nominated for a Canadian Music Week Indie Award) you pretty know what you're getting into here. With song titles like "Daydreaming," "Give Me Your Love" and "It's Alright to Cry," Lewis offers up earnest and non-threatening pop music that doesn't pretend to be anything more.