St. Louis hip-hop artist Nelly released his sixth studio album this week, "5.0," delivering what sounds like a pop-induced comeback. After what seems to have been a slump with his past few albums, Nelly is back in the game with this new release.  

Despite disappointment in sales from his two previous albums "Brass Knuckles" and "Sweat and Suit," this album shows promise right out of the gate.

Nelly's sweet vocals ring smoothly with the pumping pop beats, painting him more as a singer than a one-hit wonder rapper.  

The lead album single, "Just a Dream," incorporates a light taste of rock n' roll, and has already proved to be a hit, breaking into the Billboard 100. The instant success of the song almost mirrors Nelly's past popularity with his second album, "Nellyville," which introduced listeners to undoubtedly his most well-known song, "Hot in Herre".  

"5.0" moves to replicate the glory days of his 2002 musical album success, and in fact gives listeners a close contender.

Although the album is centered on the presently popular pop sound, which shines through in "She's So Fly" featuring rapper T.I., and the club-beat influenced "Liv Tonight" featuring the sexy voice of Keri Hilson, listeners are in for a few twists.  

These aren't the only beats Nelly has to offer.  His piano-filled ballad, "Without Her," shows a different and softer side of the singer.  Special guests Yo Gotti and Plies bring heavy rap lyrics to the scene in the songs "Broke" and "Long Gone" respectively, adding a little heavy-duty vocals to Nelly's otherwise soothing melodies.  

With rap and contemporary vocals to balance out the pop overload, Nelly's musical variety and popularity sounds to be back on the rise.

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