In September 2004 {$Natasha Bedingfield} debuted smashingly in the United Kingdom. Her first record, {^Unwritten}, went to number one almost immediately and the glowing response established her as an instant {\pop} star. Her ascent mirrored the sudden popularity of brother {$Daniel Bedingfield} in 2001, when his bedroom production {&"Gotta Get Through This"} rocketed similarly up the charts. For Natasha, it's {&"Single"} and the near-perfect {&"These Words (I Love You, I Love You)"} -- tracks that merge the rhythms and flavors of {\hip-hop} and {\R&B} with unique melodies and {$Bedingfield}'s vocal confidence -- {&"Single,"} for example, suggests {$Kelly Clarkson}'s 2003 single {&"Miss Independent."} {$Bedingfield} co-writes all but one song on {^Unwritten}, working with songwriters like {$Guy Chambers} ({$Robbie Williams}), {$Andrew Frampton} ({$S Club 7}), and {$Danielle Brisebois}. And she stays remarkably poised throughout, selling some of the album's weaker arrangements with the dusky grain at the top end of her vocal. {&"Silent Movie"} and {&"Piece of Me"} make moves typical of {\pop} in the 21st century -- the former actually sounds like a {$Williams} song, while the latter tries to energize its chorus with blaring guitars. But it's {$Bedingfield} who does the energizing, intersecting {$Pink}'s knowing swagger with the confessional exuberance of youth (typified in the blurted "I love you I love you/I love you I love you!"'s of {&"These Words"}). Even when {^Unwritten} emulates the trends, its tendency to play out like a personal diary put to beats and keys saves it from the soundalike pile. The bubblingly positive title track is another highlight -- "Drench yourself in words unspoken! Live your life with arms wide open! Today is where your book begins!" -- as is the soulful {\hip-hop} of {&"Drop Me in the Middle,"} which features London MC {$Estelle}. {&"I Bruise Easily"} is the late-album standout, a {\ballad} that's as epically romantic as you'd expect (keening strings, {$Bedingfield}'s voice breaking on the line "Be gentle..."), but it doesn't get out of hand, retaining the tact that the majority of {^Unwritten} has. It's a well-made {\pop} album for the new millennium with star quality at its center. [The U.S. edition of {^Unwritten} added {&"Stumble"} and the quirky {&"Size Matters,"} as well as {$Estelle}'s appearance on {&"Middle."}] ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide