Aussie hit-maker, Natalie Imbruglia, is well and truly back! Five years after the release of her last studio album,‘Firebird’, Imbruglia has teased what is to come on her upcoming seventh studio album, ‘Algorithm’ (out September 4th), by sharing a new single of the same name.

From the get-go, ‘Algorithm’ proves that Imbruglia is not solely relying on nostalgia to make this new era a success! The track opens with an experimental mix of strong synths and sirens, inspired by the likes of Depeche Mode and the Eurythmics. In fact, it gives such space to these sounds that it takes a good thirty seconds before we are introduced to Imbruglia’s silky, yet crisp vocals.

While the sound is impressive, the song's subject matter is equally noteworthy. The lyrics focus on the horrors of doomscrolling and social media addiction, making them especially relevant. In doing so, it exposes the realities and dangers of living in the modern digital age.

Lyrics such as “pissed off, my dreams turning me on / So many rabbit holes I’ve come to rely on” and “I’m too lazy lately to do people” capture the addictive nature of social media. The song is certainly reflective. Imbruglia acknowledges her own consciousness, reinforcing the importance of self-awareness in this contemporary moment.

‘Algorithm’ is unbelievably euphoric and fantastically futuristic in sound. It is full of fluid pulses and dark electronic beats. This again highlights the track's concerns about society becoming something of a dystopia. 

Imbruglia’s vocals impress, with a strong vibrato on the chorus that builds to a powerful belt, giving the track a Lady Gaga-esque energy as the tempo rises. A vocal monologue is also featured, enhancing its experimental edge.  

Fans of this track should absolutely listen to Dannii Minogue’s 2007 album ‘Club Disco’ and Natalie Bassingthwaighte’s debut album ‘1000 Stars’. One thing these three Australian Dance-Pop divas share is their willingness to experiment with genre and form. They present as Pop Princesses, yet skilfully curate house-dance tracks for a range of audiences. 

Imbruglia may be best known nowadays for her iconic stint as an X Factor Judge in the 2010s and for the 90s hit, ‘Torn’. However, ‘Algorithm’ marks a new era. Imbruglia embodies the spirit of house and electronic dance music while maintaining her pop roots. This bodes well for the finished album, which will almost certainly leave us feeling anything but torn!