-Today, a pop star is as prevalent as a white rapper or an overpaid celebrity attorney.

However, one artist rising to the top embraces the real soul of R&B, which has been unseen in the recent flood of buttery-pop phenomena: Amel Larrieux.

Larrieux’s new CD “Bravebird” revives mainstream R&B with an earthy, deep soul and a hint of jazz, perhaps best captured by the title track.

Aside from its melodic ease, the content in the song “Bravebird” captivates listeners by communicating depth and emotion with the story of a young girl’s trauma and pain. At the same time, the track carries a dark beauty while its soft-as-a-petal vocals make it seem as though Larrieux is fluttering rather than singing.

Other tracks such as “Dear to Me” and “Beyond” further detach her from overdone pop ballads through their lyrics. Her lyrics range from governmental issues to loyalty and faith in eternal love.

With each song, but most notably in “Beyond,” Larrieux possesses vocal strength much like Alicia Keys, but at the same time she delivers folksy emotion comparable to Sarah McLachlan.

The entire CD flows through so smoothly; it supplies the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening or a sedating hypnosis before bedtime.

The album may not grace the top of the Billboard’s Hot 100 or contain the musical likeness of Britney Spears or Jessica Simpson, but the CD’s depth and soul make it a must-have for any R&B lover.