Former Destiny's Child songstress Kelly Rowland may never upstage her superstar groupmate Beyoncé (who can?), but she certainly has the vocal chops and charm to stand on her own stiletto-clad feet. Consider the aptly titled "Ms. Kelly" her proper mission statement. Compared with her gospel-fueled 2002 solo debut, "Simply Deep," Rowland appears confident and dominant on foot-stompers like "Come Back" and the Eve-assisted single "Like This." These whiplash-inducing tunes fit like jigsaw pieces beside relationship-driven ballads ("Better Without You") and midtempo cuts ("Ghetto" featuring Snoop Dogg) that showcase her come-hither pipes. In true DC fashion, Rowland constantly teeters between coy and naughty, often in the same whispery breath. Though still short of career-defining, "Ms. Kelly" finds its author opening up more while welcoming the possibility that destiny may just find another star. —Clover Hope