Breathe In. Breathe Out.

It's been while since Hilary Duff has been on the entertainment radar. The one-time child star worked feverishly to shake off her squeaky clean image without having to resort to wrecking ball tactics, rehab or leaving a trail of heartbreak along her path. Instead, Duff focused on the work, and it shows with a return to the recording studio on her newest effort "Breathe In. Breathe Out.". A quick scan of the pop-heavy confection will have you wondering why it took so long.

The last time that Duff tackled the Top 40 was with her full-length release "Dignity" in 2007, and it was evident from the aptly entitled piece that was exactly what the still then-emerging artist was chasing after. But even then she had grabbed our attention -- even as the distraction and destructive courses of contemporaries Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus started to tire out the public interest on pop-music.

Having previously charted territory in the dance realm, Duff opens "Breathe In. Breathe Out." with some relevantly produced EDM symphonies that spiral happily and brilliantly. The best example of these is "Confetti," which capitalizes on Duff's thin, but still-present, vocal capacity. Her attack on the higher registers and harmonies of these pop-radio radio hits plays beautifully, especially on the title track itself, which features prominently and is lyrically interesting.

Duff has often been compared to Kylie Minogue, and once suggested that the Melbourne maven was an influence of hers. Many of the songs appearing on "Breathe In. Breathe Out." will be reminiscent of Kylie's quality -- especially in its free-feeling, joy and good-nature. "Lies" is a stand-out example of a song that is purely Duff's and embodies a practical sense of the popular wave and direction that pop/dance tunes are on. She's "done with the lies" and lyrically harmonizes the hook with glee.

It isn't long before everything starts to sound very much like the track before it, but therein is the danger of having a less-impressive vocal capacity compared to an artist like Jessie J. That isn't said to diminish Hilary Duff's presence on "Breathe In. Breathe Out.," which ends on the remarkably high note "Night Life This" featuring Kendall Schmidt. The smoothly produced duet is one of the album's shinier moments for sure. Hilary Duff can breathe easily -- she's got wind in these sails. Breathe out!

"Breathe In. Breathe Out."
by Hilary Duff
CD and digital download platforms
$11.99
http://www.sonymusic.nl/release/hilary-duff-breathe-in-breathe-out-deluxe