WHEN you think of Sophie Ellis-Bextor, chances are dancing shoes won’t be too far away.

You may have thrown shapes to Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love) when it was released almost 14 years ago, or watched the singer’s stint on Strictly Come Dancing last year, and dedicated pop fans will, of course, be familiar with Murder On The Dancefloor. Her fifth album Wanderlust showcases a similarly dramatic side of Ellis-Bextor, but one more focused on beautiful lyrics set against dreamy music.

Almost all the tracks would feel at home in musical theatre, with a mix of up-tempo numbers such as the great 13 Little Dolls moving seamlessly into the lovely retro-sounding Runaway Daydreamer.

There is a poetic element in The Deer & The Wolf, which feels like she’s singing a story, in that ever distinctive voice. Ellis-Bextor is back and she hasn’t lost her cool edge.