Lea Michele’s debut album, Louder, was released on March 4, 2014 by Columbia Records. While well executed, the album is missing the oomph that draws the line between superstars and one-hit wonders.

“I didn’t record one word I didn’t feel – whether or not I wrote it,” Michele said during a listening session for Louder. “These are words that are parts of me.”

The lead single, Cannonball, is co-written by Sia and leaves listeners feeling empowered. The song talks about overcoming obstacles and rising above, even though it sounds like every other pop song on the top 40 charts.

A natural at ballads, Michele pours her emotions into Battlefield, the fourth song on her album. Although the song has the classic “falling in love and breaking hearts” theme, Michele manages to take it up a level and demonstrates her vocal talent perfectly.

After the passing away of Michele’s long time boyfriend and Glee co-star in July, Michele collaborated with Sia to come up with the breathtaking If You Say So. The lyrics, “Was just a week ago, you said ‘I love you girl’. I said, ‘I love you more’. Then a breath, a pause, you said, If you say so,” capture the “pure hurt” Michele experienced and keeps listeners on their toes for every line.