This is an excellent article from someone who has really thought about the subject of his writing – ie Paulini – and hasn't simply jumped on whatever band-wagon happened to be passing at the time of writing. Some great stuff from Paulini too! Thank you Johann, for your thoughtful story – and thanks too for visiting our site and leaving us a nice comment in the forum (read it here ). It's good to know this site is making a difference somehow, however small.
Story by Johann Huang
August 31, 2006 12:00am
"SOMETIMES you just have to be confident in yourself," says Paulini of her new album, Superwoman.
Confidence is something that has been learnt the hard way by the Australian soul singer, even though winning talent contest Starsearch at the age of 16, being a placegetter in Australian Idol and releasing a hit debut album have given her plenty to be confident about.
Paulini is now out on the Young Divas tour with fellow Idol stars Ricki-Lee Coulter, Emily Williams and Kate DeAraugo and spreading the word about her long-delayed second album, Superwoman.
It's her follow-up to the platinum-selling 2004 debut One Determined Heart. While her first album was a post-Idol record of pop covers, Superwoman moves Paulini in a direction she is happier with.
"I'd have to say it's album number one," she says, laughing. "It feels like more of my work. I wanted to make it sound more modern and try out different styles of R&B."
{mosimage}Taking more control on the critical second album was important to Paulini as she needed the opportunity to display her songwriting skills.
"It was something I had to kind of fight for because most of the time they just give you songs. I had to keep reminding them, 'Hey guys, I want to write'," Paulini says.
With any follow-up to a platinum-selling album, there are lots of expectations and pressures riding on its release. The album, released last month, hasn't made an immediate impact like its predecessor, perhaps due to a combination of its long-delayed release date and Paulini's commitment to the Divas tour. But the album performed more strongly on the Brazin chart which accounts for major outlets HMV, Sanity and Virgin, which no longer count towards the ARIA chart.
For Paulini, the release of Superwoman has been a long time coming, with recording completed more than 12 months ago. She explains the album has been delayed for it to be released at the "right time", a mutual decision made by both her and her label.
"I just got to a point where I was like 'No, let's just take it out there and release it'," she says.
While the title of the album isn't supposed to be about Paulini the superhero, it works all the same. The chorus of the title track says it all: "I'm not your superwoman/I am only human."
In big ballad Who Will I Run To, Paulini channels a younger, edgier Whitney Houston, and in the hook-filled groovefest So Over You (one of the tracks written by Paulini) she gives international soul sisters a good run for their money.
What's most exciting about the album is that Paulini is in great shape – vocally and physically. While she was more subdued on her first album, on Superwoman she really lets rip. Paulini says the physical side of things is a result of her newfound health and being realistic about the business she is in.
"I've been trying to keep as healthy as I can. I used to hate running, but I love it now. I've learnt so much throughout the three years I've been in the business. I've learnt that 50 per cent of it is your voice. You can't just stand on stage and belt, it's the whole package."
While there are no immediate plans to release her music overseas, Paulini says it would be her ultimate ambition.
"That would be another dream come true for me. The most important thing is that you want everyone to hear it and you want people to comment on it so you can make it better for the next album," she says.
Superwoman is out now through Sony BMG. {moscomment}