You've Changed

Kimberley Locke accomplished what only a handful of "American Idol" finalists have before her: scoring a bona fide radio hit with "Eighth World Wonder" at top 40 and AC. Curb now escorts its world-class talent down a new road—for both the artist and label—with "You've Changed," an old-school, R&B finger-snapper that Gladys Knight might have embraced. Locke's slightly raspy vocal aches with disillusionment as she realizes the good thing she had with her man has gone bad. Throughout, Locke, who co-wrote the song, shimmers with enough star quality to graduate once and for all from the stigma of being an "Idol" alumna. With this one, she is stepping out with a change for the better —and heaven knows, radio could use some real soul amid its current roster of one novelty du jour hip-hop song after another.—CT