It took Blondie singer Debbie Harry 14 years to record the legitimate follow-up to 1993’s Debravation.  She spent the ensuing years singing with Jazz Passengers, taking the odd movie role and involving herself in various side projects and a Blondie reunion. The reunion seems to have sparked something in Harry because Necessary Evil is a smooth, likable and inspired pop record that reprises the past with a knowing wink and then tinkers modestly with the future. Her beats are current without seeming trendy and her voice is kept in its comfort zone, offering sultry love songs (“If I Had You”), artsy tone poems that share a sonic equivalent with singer-songwriter Sam Phillips (“Deep End”), and even some cheesy synths that creak on through (“Love With Vengeance” sounds like a ‘70s Pong revival). Harry’s playing with the menu throughout these 17 tracks, sounding like an old pro who’s out to have a little fun without taking herself too seriously. This breezy tone allows her to slip between genres without seeming like she’s trying to be everything to everybody.