Natalia Kills has seemed to be quite the presence overseas, and it’s truly a shame that the US has not been fully exposed to Perfectionist, her debut pop album. While she seems to take herself a bit too seriously, especially considering the type of music she is making, Natalia delivers some very solid dance-pop here.
While none of the songs break new ground, Natalia has a commanding presence throughout this disc. It’s her music, and she never allows the listener to forget that she’s the one singing. While several of the cuts may seem a bit similar, with their percussion-heavy starts, there are enough standouts to offset this.
Some of the best songs include “Mirrors,” a powerfully seductive song that nearly eclipses the entire record. Thankfully there are songs like the threatening “Break You Hard” and the cringe-worthy titled but surprisingly good “Love Is a Suicide” that shine all on their own. Natalia takes a break from her dominant woman stance to deliver the beautiful “Heaven,” detailing the loss of someone special. It’s a refreshing moment, one that every ‘smart’ pop album needs to separate itself from the ‘dumb’ pop albums that permeate the market. “If I Was God” is another very good song, with its meaty backbeat that allows the song to run nearly 5 minutes without getting old.
Natalia delivers a strong debut, one that signals toward a strong career in her future. Songs like “Free” and “Acid Annie” are overshadowed by the other more superior songs. The Lady Gaga comparisons are inevitable, but If you’re looking for a good electro-pop record to sink into, this is a great choice.
