Natalie Imbruglia is back, and if you’ve ever wondered what resilience sounds like, Firebird is your answer. After a decade without original music and a bout of writer’s block that could’ve stretched even longer, she’s returned with an album that’s all about independence, reinvention, and proving to herself (and the world) that she was never actually broken. “I had to tell myself these things before I could believe them,” she admits, reflecting on a journey that included divorce, single motherhood, and rediscovering her creative voice.
That voice soars throughout Firebird, with themes of self-reliance woven into tracks like Build It Better and Nothing Missing, the latter written with KT Tunstall as a personal reminder that she wasn’t incomplete, despite years of feeling that way. Even What It Feels Like, which she describes as a celebration of motherhood, feels like a statement of strength. This is an album that doesn’t dwell on loss—it moves forward, even when the road is uncertain.
Musically, Imbruglia embraces new collaborators, including Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr., who brought a Bonnie Tyler-sized dose of ‘80s energy to Maybe It’s Great. Naturally, it’s also the only track on the album with an explicit rating. “Of course it is,” she laughs, “Albert’s behind it.” Elsewhere, tracks like Not Sorry and Human Touch carry unexpected weight, with the latter—written before the pandemic—ironically becoming one of Firebird’s most relatable anthems.
Now, with a fresh perspective and an album that feels like a new chapter, Imbruglia is ready to take Firebird on the road. “Touring is the goal,” she says, noting that while logistics (and global conditions) will determine the details, she’s eager to bring these songs to life on stage. “My band’s ready, I’m ready—let’s go.”
So, is Firebird a comeback? If you ask Imbruglia, she never really left—she just needed time to rise again.
Watch the interview above and then check out the videos below.
