Sinead O'Connor's new album

Sinead O'Connor, whose personal life has attracted a lot attention of late, releases her ninth studio album.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• O'Connor's ninth studio album is titled "How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?"


• She taps the naked intensity of her early days without sacrificing hooks or humor


• The singer's "How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?" is a welcome return

() -- Lately, Sinead O'Connor has attracted less attention for her music than for her tumultuous personal life.

The singer's ninth studio album -- "How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?" -- (dig that tabloid-target title) might be the one to shift the focus.

Holding forth on marriage and motherhood over pan-global arrangements shaped in part by Adele's sidemen, she taps the naked intensity of her early days without sacrificing hooks or humor.

"How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?" is a welcome return. B+