

After establishing herself as a hitmaker with behind-the-scenes work on “Gimme More” and “Like a Boy,” Keri Hilson put her serpentine soprano and spunky attitude front and center on her commanding 2009 debut. The slinky “Turnin Me On” pairs Hilson’s tart vocal with darkly glittering electro; “Knock You Down” updates the superstar soul duet for the ‘00s, with Hilson and Ne-Yo reveling in their shared romantic bliss amid sumptuous synths. Hilson’s ambitious view of R&B’s sonic possibilities makes her guest-studded, surprise-filled World an exciting place.