.
Search

Follow Us

Edit Content
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • New Music
  • Reviews
  • Caught Live
  • Future Pop
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • New Music
  • Reviews
  • Caught Live
  • Future Pop
Facebook Instagram Spotify Tiktok
RPM031 Menu-3
  • NEWS
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    Howard Jones Dream Into Action Artwork-4

    Howard Jones announces 40th anniversary Dream Into Action tour

    The seminal record delivered Howard Jones global hits including Things Can Only Get Better, which featured in Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’.

    Natalie Imbruglia Left Of The Middle Artwork BMG-4

    Natalie Imbruglia’s Torn named most-played song of 21st century

    Lifted from her debut LP, ‘Left Of The Middle’, Natalie Imbruglia’s classic track tops Greatest Hits Radio’s latest Countdown.

    Cyndi Lauper Farewell Tour Credit Ruven Afanador-4

    Cyndi Lauper ‘humbled’ by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction

    Time After Time hitmaker Cyndi Lauper is among the Class of 2025, alongside artists including Bad Company, OutKast and Soundgarden.

    Mariah Carey Handout Press-4

    Mariah Carey to headline Capital Summertime Ball 2025

    We Belong Together hitmaker Mariah Carey will top the bill at London’s Wembley Stadium on June 15, marking her first UK show in six years.

  • EXCLUSIVES
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    Cascada Studio 24 Handout-4

    Cascada on her Studio 54-inspired new album and 20 years of global hits [Exclusive]

    As they return with their fifth album, Cascada’s Natalie Horler looks back on 20 years of hits and reacts to her recent interview that went viral online.

    Nicki French Who, What, Where Handout Energise-4

    Nicki French considered Eurovision return with new album track: ‘Would they really go for a 60 year old singer… again?’ [Exclusive]

    As she returns with her new album, Nicki French reveals she almost submitted one track into the running for next year’s Eurovision.

    Pixie Lott Encino Press Handout-4

    Pixie Lott talks new album Encino: ‘When you fall into your authentic self, that’s when the magic happens’ [Exclusive]

    A decade after releasing her self-titled third album, Pixie Lott returns with a body of work that reflects the place she’s at in her life today.

    Betty Boo Rip Up The Rulebook Credit Sandro Hyams-4

    Betty Boo: ‘It’s a philosophy that I have to not let anybody tell you that you can’t be who you want to be!’ [Exclusive]

    As she returns with her epic new album ‘Rip Up The Rulebook’, Betty Boo opens up about creating her most diverse work to date.

  • NEW MUSIC
  • REVIEWS
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    Kim Wilde Closer Artwork Cherry Red

    Kim Wilde – Closer

    Gwen Stefani Bouquet

    Gwen Stefani – Bouquet

    Cascada Studio 24

    Cascada – Studio 24

    Pixie Lott Encino Tag 8 / BMG

    Pixie Lott – Encino

  • CAUGHT LIVE
  • FUTUREPOP
  • RELEASE RADAR
Home Reviews

Natalie Imbruglia – Firebird

Connor Gotto by Connor Gotto
September 23, 2021
in Reviews
Natalie Imbruglia Firebird

BMG

19
SHARES
185
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Released: 24 September 2021

Natalie Imbruglia rises from the ashes with her long-awaited album ‘Firebird’. 

Don't Miss...

Howard Jones announces 40th anniversary Dream Into Action tour

Natalie Imbruglia’s Torn named most-played song of 21st century

The LP is the Australian singer’s first in six years and her first collection of original material since 2009’s ‘Come to Life’. 

It comes following a period of “crippling” writer’s block off the back of a dispute with her former record label, which saw Natalie unceremoniously dropped from her deal before her album was released. 

Now, she returns with an empowering collection of 14 tracks, each co-written by the singer-songwriter, exploring her journey from chart-topper, through the dark times and back into the light. 

Lead single Build It Better emcompasses the themes of the record – ‘When it all falls down / Gotta build it better’ – and serves as a defiant statement that she won’t be beaten. 

Along with pre-release single On My Way and album track Nothing Missing, it draws on the past and looks to a brighter future, offering a reintroduction to the ‘90s superstar. 

Throwing her sound back even further, Maybe It’s Great and What It Feels Like are synth-laden ‘80s pop gems and provide a clear blueprint for future releases.

While the first half of the album is endearing, however, it wears thin over the course of 14 songs, with the latter portion of the record meandering without ever gaining pace. 

The acoustic guitar led Change of Heart is pretty while River – with it’s earworm chant ‘River, river run’ – is a highlight of the downtempo numbers.

Firebird, the album closer and title track, is a standout piano moment and one of the strongest tracks here, but it’s lost in the density of Side B. 

There’s no doubt about it, Natalie Imbruglia is a brilliant pop star, and it’s unfortunate she settled on such an exhaustive release – because buried within ‘Firebird’ is a stellar 10-track album.

‘Firebird’ is available on CD (including Signed Copies) and Vinyl.

Connor Gotto

Connor Gotto

Founder and editor of RETROPOP. Self-proclaimed pop aficionado. Usually seen with a wine in hand.

More Like This

Howard Jones Dream Into Action Artwork-4
News

Howard Jones announces 40th anniversary Dream Into Action tour

by Connor Gotto
May 7, 2025
Natalie Imbruglia Left Of The Middle Artwork BMG-4
News

Natalie Imbruglia’s Torn named most-played song of 21st century

by Connor Gotto
May 7, 2025
Cyndi Lauper Farewell Tour Credit Ruven Afanador-4
News

Cyndi Lauper ‘humbled’ by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction

by Connor Gotto
April 29, 2025
Mariah Carey Handout Press-4
News

Mariah Carey to headline Capital Summertime Ball 2025

by Connor Gotto
April 28, 2025
Charles Kelley Can't Lose You Here With Me Single Artwork Southern Accent-4
New Music

Lady A’s Charles Kelley drops two new tracks from second solo LP

by Connor Gotto
April 25, 2025

Follow Us

The RETROPOP Edit

Never miss a story - sign up to RETROPOP's Daily Edit newsletter for free!

Please wait...

You're in! Keep an eye on your inbox for all the latest!

The Latest

Howard Jones Dream Into Action Artwork-4

Howard Jones announces 40th anniversary Dream Into Action tour

May 7, 2025
Natalie Imbruglia Left Of The Middle Artwork BMG-4

Natalie Imbruglia’s Torn named most-played song of 21st century

May 7, 2025
Cyndi Lauper Farewell Tour Credit Ruven Afanador-4

Cyndi Lauper ‘humbled’ by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction

April 29, 2025
RETROPOP No. 31 : Sept '24
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
Change privacy settings
MEDIA KIT

RETROPOP participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.

Copyright © 2024 Irresistible. All rights reserved.

  • Home
    • Home – Layout 1
    • Home – Layout 2
    • Home – Layout 3
  • News
  • Fashion

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

CloseMenu

New issue out now

SHOP HERE