When Naarm/Melbourne-based indie artist Amalia released her debut single “Electric Rush” in 2024, I declared it “one of the strongest debuts I’ve ever heard.” Now that she’s released her debut album HEAVEN IN A HURRICANE, I’m feeling every bit as effusive. Featuring 11 tracks written over three years during her late teens and early twenties, this album aims straight for the heart and doesn’t miss.
The late teens and early twenties are a tumultuous time, punctuated by sweet highs and crushing lows. Amalia takes us to all those places and in between as she grapples with life, love, and coming into her own. The high-octane opener “Borderline” alerts listeners that they’d better strap in. It’s the sort of song that encourages you to grab a hairbrush, dance around your room, and try to sing along, even if you don’t have Amalia’s incredible vocal range.
Amalia’s voice is really superb, and it seems to have no limits. It can go from an impassioned rock belt to a show-stopping falsetto with ease. It commands attention, demanding that you listen. There’s such power in that alone, but Amalia is also an incredible songwriter. Her lyrics pack an emotional punch, and her melodies are so catchy you can expect to be humming them long after you stop listening. I can hear the influences of Stevie Nicks, Alanis Morissette, Lana Del Rey, Florence Welch, Kate Bush, Pat Benatar, the greats that came before her, but Amalia is still so clearly her own artist.
I feel so connected to this album. Singing along to the powerful choruses of tracks like “Lies” and “Sugar Baby” is utterly cathartic. My heart broke hearing the emotion in Amalia’s voice in the beautiful closing ballad “Cruel to be Kind,” but I was healed by the joy of the independence anthem “Break Free.” I’ve always felt the true measure of music is whether it moves you. The way every track on HEAVEN IN A HURRICANE makes me confident it will be one of my favourite albums this year.
HEAVEN IN A HURRICANE is out now on all the major streaming platforms. Make sure you listen to this excellent local release.
Images used with permission from Amalia