Natalie Imbruglia
Left of the Middle

THE REVIEW

It's '97, Natalie Imbruglia releases her first album, destined to bring her much luck - in every sense, considering that the round out of sales amounts to 6.5 million copies.

The first song on the album is also the first single and the most well-known, "Torn": we all still have it in our heads, and sometimes it resurfaces. Especially among women, as it is yet another Avatar of the mourned feminine. "One more addiction" is driven by bass and industrial effects tied with the breathy tone of the voice, and it also has a touch of introspection. The same goes for the following song, which accentuates this streak with electronic drums and lyrics: "You forgotten how it started, close your eyes, think of all the bubbles of love we made. And you're down on your knees, it's too late, oh don't come crawlin'. And you lie by my feet, what a big mistake...i see you falling." Even "Leave me alone" manages to maintain this slow and mellifluous mood, also suitable for Jazz; while "Wishing I was there" reconnects to the first, equally beautiful: the most catchy on the album along with "Impressed". At this point, the album takes a turn with "Smoke" with its beautiful lyrics: "My mouth is dry, forgotten how to cry, what's up with that, you're hurting me. I'm running fast, can't hide the past, what's up with that, you're pushing me...whyyyyy, bleeding is breathing, you're hiding, underneath the smoke in the room, tryyy...i used to...i used to."

The following track slightly departs from the context, being sweeter and more delicate - it reminds me of "In God's country" by U2. The subsequent songs form a thoughtful mix of the previously listed characteristics, with also greater use of guitar; the aforementioned "Impressed" is very nice, with dance basses, finally concluding with the slow title track.

In my opinion, Natalie Imbruglia has given with this album a great example of pop music, far from the minimalism of today's genre performers, even though they are talented, as also reflected in the lyrics: not sensual, not suggestive, not purely about love, thanks to creativity.