Love Without Fear (Dan Wilson) | 3.5/5

SINGAPORE — Dan Wilson is the creative force behind great power-pop outfits like Trip Shakespeare and Semisonic. In the latter case, ’90s music fans will remember the band’s hit song, Closing Time. However, for modern pop lovers, Wilson is best known as the co-writer and producer of Adele’s Someone Like You and not much else. Hopefully, this sophomore solo effort will change all that. While eschewing the power-pop leanings of his previous group projects, there is no denying the classic pop vibe that permeates this competent album, Love Without Fear. There is a pleasing country-folk ambience on numerous tracks — the rollicking A Song Can Be About Anything, the heartfelt Your Brighter Days and the rustic I Can Never Stay Mad At You. But what is interesting is the presence of a couple of powerful love ballads that hearkens to the format’s heyday (Even The Stars Are Sleeping, Two) might even be massive hits if performed by more prominent singers. Overall, it’s a strong addition to the pop canon.