The closest thing to a male Hilary Duff, Jesse McCartney has found success not only as a teen-pop recording artist, but as an actor, starring on the TV programs ALL MY CHILDREN, SUMMERLAND, and various Disney Channel shows. With BEAUTIFUL SOUL, the young vocalist makes his bid for musical credibility, turning in a well-crafted and danceable set of pop/R&B songs. Taking a cue from the mammoth success of Usher, McCartney comes right out of the box with "She's No You," a pumping track that reflects the urgency of young love with a rapid-fire verse followed by a crooning chorus, backed by hip-hop beats and Barry White-esque string arrangements. "Get Your Shine On" is pure old-school disco, and the mid-tempo groover "Come to Me" conjures Michael Jackson's THRILLER heyday. BEAUTIFUL SOUL is a surprisingly mature effort, and delivers far more than one would imagine such a young performer could muster.