With the failure of 2010’s “Bionic” looming over her head, Christina Aguilera had a lot to prove with her seventh studio album, “Lotus.” A thudding intro sets a promising tone as the singer’s powerhouse vocals mesh perfectly, with a newer techno-centric sound. But the upbeat, synth-heavy beats burn out quickly when Aguilera’s singing proves too powerful for some lighthearted tracks. Even as the album careens between solid hits and vexing misses, Aguilera appears to be in her element, crooning sexually dominant lyrics about female empowerment and shooing haters. The most poignant moments come through slower gems, such as “Blank Page,” showcasing a more vulnerable side to the multifaceted pop singer. Not as original as “Back to Basics” or disastrous as “Bionic,” the singer’s latest effort is simply average.

Grade: C