“Monkey Me” is the title track for Farmer’s 2012 album of the same name. The album, which is out now on iTunes, includes the singles “À l’ombre” and “Je te dis tout.”

For the set, Cher worked with an army of leading lights in dance music, from veteran Paul Oakenfold to Mark Taylor to Timbaland. Following down a path similar to that of her last studio album, 2001′s Living Proof, Closer To The Truth is a straightforward dance/pop release. Thankfully, “Closer” accomplishes much more than its predecessor. The album is packed full of memorable tunes, but it is perhaps most appreciable as a labor of love from an icon who still has her finger on the pulse of what keeps her fans coming back for more. While I wasn’t thrilled with the lead single from the LP, the rest of the album, for the most part, is a sonic explosion of chunky beats and serotonin inducing hooks.

Cher does slow things down a few times on Closer To The Truth, including the second single to be plucked from the collection, “I Hope You Find It,” a song that was originally performed by Miley Cyrus for her 2010 movie “The Last Song.” It’s a little too soft for my taste, but it could have massive radio appeal.

One of the strongest songs found on the LP is “I Walk Alone,”  a been-there, done-that track about finding our own path through life. Don’t let the hillbillish intro fool you, this isn’t a Rednex style pop song. “I’ve still got time to fold, time to hold, time to play, time to grow, but for now I’ve gotta walk alone,” Cher sings. The Pink penned track is practically begging to be a single.

The real highlight of the entire album is the chill inducing “My Favorite Scars.” The production work and vocal performance work together in perfect musical harmony. The song has feel good, positive lyrics that will appeal to a universal audience, and at the same it fits in perfectly with the albums theme of journeying. It’s this years “pick yourself up, dust yourself off’” anthem. Perfection.

It’s clear that Cher had a clear vision about the direction in which this project should go. In short, Closer To The Truth does everything a pop album in its finest and purest form is meant to do. There is a reason Cher has been in the entertainment industry for decades, Closer To The Truth is a testament as to why.

★★★★