Dido's new record is a sensual and somber thing, a gossamer collection of strong and subtle songwriting produced impeccably. That subtlety can be a hindrance in some cases, as a lot of people tune out sounds that are slower than 120 BPM and sonically pleasant, but here it allows Dido to build a monument to impermanence, and if she had never recorded anything other than "White Flag," she would still be the plaintive voice of melancholy and regret. "Stoned" percolates nicely, and "Sand in my Shoes" delivers electro vibes just so listeners don't think she's forgotten her dance roots. But at the heart of this record are fierce wounds, and "Don't Leave Home" and "Mary's in India" get into emotional places that pop songs haven't dared to go for around a couple of decades or so. But "White Flag" is one of the towering acheivements of the year, and as No Angel complemented "Here With Me,: so does Life for Rent shore up "White Flag." Beautifully. Impeccably. And you might not even notice the aching heart at its shimmering center.
