Adam Lambert - "High Drama": His cover album

Here Lambert brings the extravagance and sauce that first made him a star with cover versions on American Idol in 2009. He is often a fabulous interpreter, and only a horrific toytown techno take on Kings Of Leon's Sex On Fire that'd solely be palatable coming out of a haunted out-of-season dodgems, lowers the tone on these 11 covers. He can be faithful - the only problem with his version of Duran's Ordinary World which launched High Drama is that it was perhaps too tasteful to offer anything new. See also Lambert's melancholic acoustic take on Pink ballad, My Attic.

If his Getting Older also inhabits the stately mood of Billie Eilish's original, Lambert injects a regretful, contemplative air suitable for someone recently turned 40, skillfully managing to avoid any vampiric exploitation of Eilish's youngsters' ballad. Of other recent artists, a gloriously OTT guitar solo sends a rocking take of Lana Del Rey's West Coast fully into orbit.

As is often the case with covers albums, it's the unexpected that soars highest and Lambert manages to add fresh insight to Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? via synths that are both low-key yet invigoratingly pop, the vocals similarly restrained yet passionate.

But it's the most obscure song on High Drama, Jobriath's early LGBTQ+ anthem, I'm A Man, from 1973, that's the undoubted standout here. A marauding mix of Hi-NRG, country and big old statement vocals, it's Lambert embracing his inner Scissor Sisters and emerging with an irresistible smirk.

If forgiveness for Queen is still some way off, here's a reminder of what a versatile talent Lambert can be when he's not hanging about with May & Taylor.