“A lot of people have axed us…‘Who is Nina Sky?’” So goes the intro to Nina Sky’s self-titled debut. In case you’re wondering the same thing, and I’m sure you are, Nina Sky is the nom de disque of Queens, NY-bred twins Nicole (Ni) and Natalie (Na) Albino…er, Sky (they’re reaching for the sky, or soaring in the sky, or something sky-related). All is forgiven once the clumsy intro fades out and the duo’s debut single, “Move Ya Body,” a dancehall club track featuring a few irresistible lines from Lisa Lisa’s classic freestyle hit “Can You Feel The Beat,” kicks into high gear. Despite the implications of such a chirpy, threadbare insta-hit, the Albino twins can actually sing. They’ve concocted a recipe for success here: “Turnin’ Me On,” which is steeped in retro ’80s synth scales, the infectious “In a Dream,” and the slightly bloated ballad “Temperature’s Rising” evoke Beyoncé’s chart-topping solo work, while the acoustic interlude “Goodbye” and “Surely Missed” recall the Lauryn Hill of Unplugged and Miseducation, respectively. Despite its slushy subject matter, it’s difficult to resist the girls’ smoky vocal performance on “Surely Missed,” not to mention the song’s nimble sampling of Al Green’s “Something.” Nina Sky is a surprisingly solid debut, but the one thing the album lacks is its own distinct personality. Nicole and Natalie co-wrote every single song, but you have to question any record where the producers and the record company each get their own list of thanks you’s.
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