About You Now (by Miranda Cosgrove, Pop music for kids)

Fifteen-year-old actress and singer Miranda Cosgrove has come a long way from her days as a goodie-two-shoes student in the movie School of Rock. In addition to starring in her own incredibly popular Nickelodeon show, iCarly, the fun-loving Cosgrove has just released an EP titled ABOUT YOU NOW. The five-song CD features three remixes of previously released tunes that appeared on the soundtrack from her TV show, as well as two new tracks. Like her old songs, Cosgrove's new tunes remain largely innocent, though mention of late-night partying provides evidence of her growing maturity.

While Cosgrove's acting career has advanced considerably, her singing sounds similar to her passable vocal performance in School of Rock. Problem is, that was six years ago, when Cosgrove was nine years old. As a result, the synth-pop pattern that pervades so much of today's tween music doesn't come across as well for Cosgrove as it does for other bubblegum popsters with slightly stronger voices, like Miley Cyrus and Jordan McCoy. No doubt her TV popularity will still draw fans to this EP, but the release won't go down as one of the better ones in tween-music history.

Released on: January 30, 2009
Label: Columbia
Genre: Pop music for kids