:: Gabriella Cilmi - Lessons To Be Learned

Gabriella Cilmi

What can you say about this debut album by 16-year-old star Gabriella Cilmi. The Melbourne singer-songwriter, mostly based in the UK these days, has set the Australian music world alight in 2008, following her appearance as an “unknown” on the Jools Holland TV show late last year. We've been trumpeting her credentials since then and she opened her career with one of the best singles possible, “Sweet About Me”, which is still gathering enormous airplay at this time. When the record company chiefs told me that the album is full of brilliant songs, I actually believed them straight away. Then, when watching Gabriella perform live a couple of times recently, I was definitely won over by the charm and classy pop that the album contains. There are possibly five standout singles that come to mind already, and that's after an initial listen to each. Such strength and quality by an assured and “experienced” singer - Gabriella has been singing virtually all her life. The other notable tracks to watch for are “Don't Wanna Go To Bed Now”, “Save The Lies”, “Sanctuary” and “Cigarettes And Lies”. UK fans will even receive a bonus track of the old Martha And The Muffins hit “Echo Beach”, which she recorded for the current TV series. The production by the Xenomania group (Girls Aloud, Sugababes etc) is bright and classy, allowing Gabriella to fully express herself. Many established artists would love to compile a set of consistent and quality songs like these. Overall, this is a very sophisticated set, covering various styles (R&B, soul, pop, rock) and showing Gabriella's versatility. It's an outstanding beginning to her career and one of the best Australian releases in recent years.