Tag: Gabriella Cilmi

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Ten” – Gabriella Cilmi

I received Gabriella Cilmi’s sophomore album Ten last week, and I’ve been listening to it sporadically ever since. So many CDs take up permanent residence in my stereo, but this one requires smaller doses.

The problem is that it’s all very samey. Gabriella is clearly enamoured with vintage disco; think Donna Summer and the Pointer Sisters. Upbeat pop gems and softer ballads alike blaze with synthesizers and 80s electro beats. It feels more like a guilty pleasure than the follow-up work of a multiple ARIA Award winner.

The current single “On a Mission” is a real standout, a fist pumping energetic dance track which has me reaching for my nearest hairbrush. The upbeat ditties that follow are also very strong, and when you think you can’t handle another dance track the romantic “Defender” is a welcome change of pace.

But at this half way point the album takes a bit of a nosedive. “Robots” is inoffensive but the lyrics are more than a little silly. “Superhot” also suffers from some juvenile lyrics and grating vocals. I know Gabriella’s a young woman, but this song feels less mature than anything on Lessons to be Learned. The electro revamp of “Sweet About Me” was frankly unnecessary; if you can’t improve on the song, why redo it? The second half of Ten feels like it has a lot of filler, which is surprising considering how much time has elapsed between albums number one and two.

I definitely don’t hate Ten. It’s frothy and fun; the kind of CD I’d put on to power through the housework or fire up a party. But if it replicates the success of Lessons to be Learned, I’ll be very surprised.

Ten is available in stores now.

Image source: auspOp

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Song Obsession: "On a Mission" by Gabriella Cilmi

Oh Gabriella Cilmi, we have missed you! Her new single “On a Mission” is a bit of a departure from the easy soul of “Sweet About Me,” but the feisty attitude is unmistakeably Gabriella. Soundswise, it reminds me of early 1980s disco. I could easily imagine The Pointer Sisters releasing this one.

Apparently there’s more where this came from, with Gabriella citing retro influences like Giorgio Moroder, Blondie, and Donna Summer on album number two, Ten. We can expect it in stores on March 19.

Take a squizz at the new film clip and tell me what you think. Personally I figure you can never go wrong with space-age imagery and girls in bikinis, and I’m sure many of my male readers agree!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gabriella Cilmi Snares International Awards Nominations

Go Go Gabriella Cilmi! The darling of the Australian music scene has been nominated for some major international awards!

She’ll face off against Beyonce, Santogold, Pink, and Katy Perry for the Brit Award for International Solo Female Artist.

She’s also nominated for a German Echo Award for Best International Newcomer. Again she faces some stiff competition from Duffy, Leona Lewis, Katy Perry, and Amy McDonald.

It’s all pretty impressive for an Aussie teen who only released her debut single last March! Gabriella was recently in Oz to perform at the Australian Open’s A Day on the Baseline Show. She’s now returned to Europe where she’s planning to launch her assault on the American market. Her monster debut album Lessons to be Learned will be released there on March 17. Maybe we’ll see a Grammy nod next year?

Image source: Pacific Coast News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gabriella Cilmi and Other Aussies SXSW Bound

Gabriella Cilmi will head up the Aussie invasion at this year’s SXSW festival in Austin. The March shows are ones for Gabriella, whose album Lessons to be Learned will be released in the United States around the same time.

Gabriella will join a host of other Aussies heading to the festival. They include Youth Group, Kid Confucious, Blue King Brown, Birds of Tokyo, The Drones, Josh Pyke, Angua and Julia Stone, and The Grates.

More than 20, 000 music industry types from all over the world attend SXSW so this is the place for our artists to be seen.

I wish them all the best of luck!

Image source: Bauer-Griffin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gabrielle Cilmi Eyes US Success

Now she’s a superstar in Europe and her native Australia, Gabriella Cilmi has her sights set on the United States.

Her award-winning debut album Lessons to be Learned will be released there through Universal Music on March 17.

The American version of the album has a little something special for fans: a cover of the Martha & The Muffins classic “Echo Beach.”

The album release will receive an extra boost, with Gabriella named VH1’s You Oughta Know artist for January.

It looks like world domination is just a couple of steps away!

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gabriella Cilmi is a Diva

Gabriella Cilmi joined a star-studded international line-up for the recent ITV Divas special in Britain recently.

Melbourne’s pop diva played alongside Pink, Rihanna, Anastacia, Leona Lewis, and living legend Dionne Warwick at the breast cancer benefit show. ITV hosted the event to thank fundraisers and campaigners from the United Kingdom’s leading breast cancer awareness charities for their efforts.

Gabriella performed her global smash hit “Sweet About Me.” Check it out!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gabriella Cilmi Sweeps the ARIA Awards

Teen sensation Gabriella Cilmi capped off a meteoric rise to the top at last night’s ARIA Awards, taking home all six of the awards she was nominated for.

The 17-year-old Melbournian was named best female artist, and breakthrough artist for her single “Sweet About Me” and breakthrough artist – album for Lessons to be Learned. Gabriella’s debut single was also judged the year’s highest selling single, and single of the year. The album Lessons to be Learned was named best pop release.

Gabriella looked stunning in metallic gold and bronze dresses, and she performed brilliantly, but I don’t think she’ll win any awards for public speaking.

“It’s actually really cool to be here in a room full of people who kind of inspire me and make music too, so you know, yeah,” Gabriella jabbered in one of her excruciating acceptance speeches.

“I’d like to say thank you again to my mum and my dad who kind of let me travel across the other side of the world to make a record, and um, yeah, cool, thank you!”

International pop star Pink was billed as the night’s showstopper, but honestly I thought her performance of “So What” was pretty average. She might have run around a lot and projected a lot of energy, but it was at the sacrifice of the vocals.

For me Pink was outshone by Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, who delivered an exquisite song from his award-winning album Gurrumul. The album took home the titles of best world music album and best independent album, and quite rightly so. His music transcends language, forcing you to focus on the melody and passion of his words. This simplicity and sheer beauty was a welcome antidote to Pink’s posturing.

Sydney electro duo The Presets bagged a hat-trick. They were named best group, while their album Apocalypso was named best dance release and album of the year.

Nick Cave was a surprise winner, named as best male artist. Less surprising was the fact that he didn’t show up to collect the gong.

Delta Goodrem was another no-show, although she did record a message thanking us for making her self-titled third record the highest-selling album of the year.

Two folks were thrilled to be there were Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson. The husband and wife team couldn’t be happier for their collaboration Rattlin’ Bones to be named best country release.

The Living End, The Panics, The Audreys, Silverchair and Powderfinger, and comedian Shaun Micallef also took home awards on the Australian music industry’s night of nights.

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gabriella Cilmi Nominated for Q Award

Those Brits just love our Gabriella. Ms Cilmi has been nominated for the Best Breakthrough title at the upcoming Q Awards.

She’s got some stiff competition in the form of Duffy, Adele, Santogold, and Bon Iver, but I’d love to see her take home the gong. After all, “Sweet About Me” and “Save The Lies” are both in the British Top 50 right now.

Expect more nomination nods for Gabriella when the ARIA contenders are announced on Wednesday. If I were her I’d start clearing some space in the pool room.

Image source: Adam Bowie @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Liam Gallagher Loves Gabriella Cilmi

Aussie teen superstar Gabriella Cilmi has an unexpected fan: Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher! The loud-mouthed Brit says “Sweet About Me” is his favourite song this year!

The admiration is mutual, with Gabriella telling The Daily Star “I love Oasis but it was crazy to hear that!”

Gabriella has adored Oasis all her life as her dad used to sing their songs to her as a child!

“My dad used to sing ‘Live Forever’ to me as a kid, so it’s a real honour.”

It’s probably a more appropriate choice than “Cigarettes and Alcohol”!

Image source: Lee Jordan @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gabriella Cilmi Still Tops

Go go Gabriella Cilmi! The teen sensation is still sitting pretty at the top of the ARIA singles charts with her smash hit “Sweet About Me.”

The only other Aussie to appear in the top ten singles charts is former teen queen Vanessa Amorosi. Her comeback single “Perfect” is back in at number seven this week.

The girls have also made inroads in the albums charts. Gabriella Cilmi’s Lessons to be Learned is holding steady at number two, while Vanessa Amorosi’s newie Somewhere in the Real World debuted at number four.

Sandwiched between these lovely ladies we’ve got Pete Murray’s Summer at Eureka. Usher’s new release Here I Stand pushed him from the top spot, but you can’t complain about being number three.

Apocalypso by The Presets rounds out a solid block of Aussie talent. Seven weeks after its release this massive album is at number five.

Sydney hip hop outfit The Herd has made an impressive debut. Their latest album Summerland is sitting at number seven.

Damien Leith is still hanging in the top ten with his nostalgic covers release Catch the Wind: Songs of a Generation.

Here’s what else is happening in the top 10.

Australian Top 10 Singles

  1. “Sweet About Me” – Gabriella Cilmi
  2. “4 Minutes” – Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake
  3. “No Air” – Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown
  4. “American Boy” – Estelle feat. Kanye West
  5. “Low” – Flo Rida feat. T-Pain
  6. “Take a Bow” – Rihanna
  7. “Perfect” – Vanessa Amorosi
  8. “Dream Catch Me” – Newton Faulker
  9. “Better in Time” – Leona Lewis
  10. “Love Song” – Sara Bareilles

Australian Top 10 Albums

  1. Here I Stand – Usher
  2. Lessons to be Learned – Gabriella Cilmi
  3. Summer at Eureka – Pete Murray
  4. Somewhere in the Real World – Vanessa Amorosi
  5. Apocalypso – The Presets
  6. Waltzing Matilda – Andre Rieu and Mirusia
  7. Summerland – The Herd
  8. Spirit – Leona Lewis
  9. Hard Candy – Madonna
  10. Catch the Wind: Songs of a Generation – Damien Leith