Review: Diana Ross gives us a dose of hope on 'Thank You'

'œThank You,'ť by Diana Ross (Decca Records/Universal Music Group)

Diana Ross' first album in 15 years cuts through our present cynicism and slices past the despair. 'œThank You'ť is a warm hug of music, less a tightly constructed pop vehicle, than a mood.

'œIt never rains forever,'ť Ross sings in one song. On another: 'œTurn it up/And give love a chance.'ť On a third she asks: 'œWhat if we could find a way/To laugh, love and pray?'ť

'œThank You'ť is a twinkling, blissful and bubbly wave of optimism, like being invited to a champagne party on a puffy cloud. Our hostess is full of goodwill, her voice warm and welcoming. There's no velvet rope. All are welcome. 'œNo matter what the question/I know the answer/The answer's always love,'ť she sing.

The 13-track album finds Ross at the intersection of '~70s disco, '80s electronica, '90s house and the production savvy of the 2020s. There are two speeds - twinkling ballads and bootie-shakers.

But don't get the wrong idea about the up-tempo ones. There's nothing raunchy here. The song 'œLet's Do It'ť isn't about bedding anyone: 'œLet's do it,'ť she sings. 'œLet's make life better together.'ť

With 'œIn Your Heart,'ť Ross urges us to 'œreach out and just touch somebody'ť '“ a nod to her 1970 hit 'œReach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand).'ť She revisits the opening lyrics of 'œThe First Time Ever I Saw Your Face'ť for 'œBeautiful Love.'ť

"Thank You" is Ross' first collection of original songs since 1999's 'œEvery Day Is a New Day.'ť Cynics might dismiss it as overly sentimental, but is that a serious crime? She wants to say thank you, but we should be the ones thanking her.

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Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits