Natalie Imbruglia returns with first new original material for 12 years

Australian pop icon Natalie Imbruglia today returns with the new single ‘Build It Better’, her first original material since 2009. The track is a warm, all-encompassing pop song with a powerful beat, divine melodies and an empowering, anthemic chorus. Lyrically, the song details bouncing back from hard times and heartbreak and the content is particularly pertinent given the state of the world over the past 18 months - “when it all falls down gonna build it better” she sings.

“Surrendering to the chaos and seeing what’s on the other side of it is a good life lesson,” Imbruglia says. “Letting something fall apart, and being okay with that, is something that I have had to do in my life, numerous times, but especially moving into this record and becoming a mum. So I’m really excited about that song, and about the video, which is total escapist fun - the world needs that right now.”

The song is the first single to be released from Imbruglia’s sixth studio album Firebird which is due to be released on September 24. Produced almost in its entirety in lockdown by Imbruglia alongside My Riot, it was written with a number of international writers including Albert Hammond Jr of The Strokes, Romeo Stodart of The Magic Numbers, KT Tunstall, Eg White (Adele, Dua Lipa, Sam Smith), Luke Fitton (Little Mix, Girls Aloud), Fiona Bevan (One Direction, Ed Sheeran) and Rachel Furner (Little Mix, Jason Derulo, Craig David).

“Making this album has been such a profound and satisfying experience,” Imbruglia says. “Having gone through a long period of what essentially was writer’s block, it was sometimes hard to envisage getting to this place. Before the pandemic, I started the process of writing this album in London and soon after, I headed to Nashville. With each session and new collaborator, I started to gain confidence, find my voice again, and craft the sound and style that felt authentic to me. It’s been such a privilege to work with such an array of talent on Firebird. I just can’t wait for people to finally hear it.”

Firebird tracklisting:

1. Build It Better

2. Nothing Missing

3. What It Feels Like

4. On My Way

5. Maybe It’s Great

6. Just Like Old Times

7. When You Love Too Much

8. Not Sorry

9. Human Touch

10. Change Of Heart

11. Invisible Things

12. Dive To The Deep

13. River

14. Firebird

‘Build It Better’ is out now. You can download and stream here.

Firebird will be available on CD (Standard & Deluxe), limited signed CD (Standard & Deluxe), limited blue vinyl and digitally via BMG on September 24. You can pre-order and pre-save now.