It’s hard to believe Adam Lambert is part of the American Idol alumni. He’s very much his own artist and seems to have successfully escaped that pre-packaged vibe and sound that lot of those singers get stuck in. Trespassing is further proof that this guy is a wild one.
The production team alone is eyebrow-raising. Collaborations with Pharrell, Dr. Luke and a smattering of other Swedish pop experts give the record a big, beat-filled dance edge. Lambert’s voice may be straight out of a hair-metal revival band, but he’s got funk, attitude to spare and enough honesty in his lyrics to make most top 40 pop tarts blush.
Highlights and download-musts are the Nile Rogers and Sam Sparro aided “Shady”. This song is what George Michael’s nasty, younger cousin might sound like. “Never Close Your Eyes” sounds like a fresh French house club thumper, with the added bonus of some listenable lyrics and melody thanks to penmanship from Bruno Mars.
“Naked Love” is a top-down, highway driving summer-party number for the beach that Katy Perry could have done herself.
 
For those looking for some of that “glam rock” action Lambert has previously dished out, the final five songs on the record are ballads. It’s here that his vocal chords really get to flex, but like a gym bunny bending his arms in the mirror for hours, after 15 minutes things sort of deflate.
 
By the time the bonus tracks roll around, you’ll probably have moved on to your next feel-good album of choice, but Trespassing is worth checking out for the first seven high-energy numbers alone.
 
There isn’t anything groundbreaking here, only a chosen, clear path paved with good pop intentions.
—Phil Villeneuve
Trespassing is out now via Sony