Run a bath, light some candles, pop on Daniel Powter's latest album and unwind. As the warm water relaxes those tense muscles, let the innocuous melodies wash gently, mind-numbingly, over you. Put it on repeat. In fact, you could probably let it play three times over before you start identifying individual songs.

You'll emerge from the bath clean, calm and with an inexplicable desire to watch a few good romcoms.

Ah yes, the power of music should never be underestimated.

Aptly-titled 'Under the Radar', Powter's third album is unlikely to create the stir that propelled his 2005 single 'Bad Day' to the top of radio playlists around the world. Not quite a one-hit-wonder, this Canadian's attempt at musical reinvention falls far short of remarkable.

Sure, there are some catchy tunes — planned single 'Next Plane Home' is bound to do well and you'll probably find yourself inadvertently singly along to 'Not Coming Back' and 'Love You Lately'. But hey, you probably also catch yourself midway through a drunken rendition of 'Rooi Rok Bokkie'.

Enlisting the help of producer Linda Perry, who has worked with the likes of Pink, Christina Aguilera and Alicia Keys (yes, that should tell you something), Powter has moved away from his piano-led pop to pop that is, well, a little more instrumental. Somewhat generic singer-songwriter fare, think Beatles four decades too late, with more than just a hint of boy band.

There is really no point over-analysing this. Like a comfy old jersey, it is what it is — you might wear it when you're kicking back at home, but you are not likely to admit that you own it, let alone wear it in public.