** 1/2 Cleopatra, “Steppin’ Out,” Maverick.

This sophomore collection finds the teenage Higgins sisters affecting a sexier, more assertive tone than their sugary debut. Whether coming on strong, playing hard to get or sympathizing with the romantically troubled, the English vocal trio emphasizes grace under pressure. The music is a typical modern-R&B; mishmash of soul, hip-hop, funk and pop, but the overly slick production often detracts from the down-to-earth harmonizing.

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Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent). The albums are already released unless otherwise noted.