Further proof (if you need it) of Natasha Bedingfield’s conquering of America comes in the news that she’s been chosen as the opening act for the New Kids On The Block reunion tour this autumn.

The tour will run for just over two months, beginning on 18 September and ending on 26 November.

It’s nice to see homespun talent like Natasha Bedingfield making such a splash in the States, something which is considered the Holy Grail for most British acts. With her clean-cut image and a two generations of NKOTB fans catching her act, we believe the best is yet to come for Natasha,

Billboard reports that even now, she’s enjoying a top 10 single with Pocketful Of Sunshine while her album is currently at number 45.

We rarely expect an artist from these shores to rise to prominence in the USA, but a wave of predominantly female British singers is turning that around. And while we think of Leona Lewis as the premier pop act turning heads in America, it looks like Miss Bedingfield might just be catching her up.

This new phase of Natasha Bedingfield’s career is an interesting one. Seemingly she’s out to make it in the US of A in a big, big way.

Critics have picked up on this, and I’ve read more than a few comments that suggest Love Like This is targetted to hit a large market very quickly and make as much impact as possible. The inclusion of one-hit wonderboy Sean Kingston is a strange one. Yes, he’s had one massive single, but is he really a big name draw to partner with from a publicity standpoint? And does he really add anything to the song? (hint: the correct answer is no)

To be honest, when she’s not wailing about having people’s babies, I think Natasha’s quite a deserving Brit singer to make it in America. Love Like This isn’t pretending to be a serious track. It’s pitching to a teenaged pop market and pitching quite well.

What you’ve got is a reasonably well crafted pop song that’s aiming to make a major splash in the charts. And it’s nice to see a blatantly happy pop song in the charts for once.

Disappointingly, the video’s not available on YouTube, but here’s a performance Natasha gave with Ryan Tedder.