Having taken a few more cues from the R&B crowd -- like dropping his trademark "Royyyyyccce" at the beginning of tracks --
Prince Royce
's mix of urban, bachata, and Latin pop felt especially fresh and exciting as this sophomore effort landed on shelves, but this ballad-driven release is far from gimmicky. From the massive "it's the little things" hit "Los Cosas Pequenas," to the broad and uplifting dance-pop of "It's My Time,"
proves himself to be a talented, heartfelt singer, pulling a lot of soul out of a soft, amiable -- you could even call if featherweight -- voice. It's that light bit of his delivery that makes him approachable, and even if he's got the pedigree of a Dominican kid growing up in oh-so-cool N.Y.C., he's both hip and growing increasingly true to the music, delivering the album's more
Bieber
,
Black Eyed Peas
, and
Selena
moments in a style that's connectable over just crossover. With the genre-spanning and the man's delivery both more natural, the rewarding
Phase II
is a substantial step up from
Royce
's debut. ~ David Jeffries