Natalie Imbruglia presents ‘London – Live’

The perfect mixture of old and new, Natalie Imbruglia’s long-awaited live album ‘London – Live’ is finally here. Recorded back in October 2022 at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, during her ‘Left of the Middle 25th Anniversary Tour’, this album features a beautiful array of her nostalgic hits, complemented by tracks from her latest studio album ‘Firebird’, released in 2021.

As a general overview, this record truly embodies Imbruglia’s journey from her first hit to her latest studio album and seamlessly blends her classic hits, such as ‘Big Mistake’ and ‘Torn’, with her recent pop, rock, and R&B shift.

Every song on this track list will get your feet tapping and your hips swaying as the energy from this magical night comes alive in your ears. Speaking about her love for this live album, Natalie says, “The experience I had on ‘Left of the Middle 25th Anniversary Tour’ is one I will treasure forever,” adding, “I was able to celebrate all the music I’ve created from the past and enjoy performing songs from ‘Firebird’.”

Executing a live album can be tricky, as you’re trying to recreate an unforgettable feeling, only experienced by those in the room. But from start to finish, this album captures the night with ease and shares the love that filled Shepherd’s Bush Empire with all those who will listen today.

Opening with ‘What It Feels Like’, you are hit by a wave of anticipation while waiting for the first verse to kick in and are instantly thrown into an encapsulating environment of a live performance. As the album continues through the setlist, you’re kept on your toes by Imbruglia’s impressive and highly recognizable vocals and treated to bursts of Natalie’s friendly and bubbly energy, which shines through her incredible stage presence.

The impressive production on this album is also something that deserves recognition. Produced by Imbruglia herself and mixed by Adam Alexander (Bamm Bamm Wolfgang), it’s no wonder this album is breathtakingly layered, from the instrumental ensemble to the audience’s reactions. Speaking about producing this album, Natalie said, “I’ve always loved writing and more recently producing. The process [of producing the live album] has been particularly fulfilling and satisfying,” adding, “choosing which tracks to include on the vinyl and capturing the spirit of the night has been as much a pleasure as the shows themselves.”

While ‘London – Live’ has beautifully captured a night filled with celebration, I believe the penultimate track ‘Build It Better’, would have been the better choice to draw the album to a close. The final song, ‘Something Better’, still deserves to be on this record, though it didn’t feel like it gave me the closure I was looking for.

The brightness of the piano introduction along with the crowd engagement made ‘Build It Better’ feel more like an ending to me.

As she wrapped up supporting The Corrs across their UK tour dates earlier this week, Imbruglia fans won’t have to wait long for new music, with Natalie teasing the works of her seventh studio album, set to be released next year.

To summarize, ‘London – Live’ radiates a fresh tone throughout without ruining the nostalgic feel Imbruglia’s music will always give us as listeners. It wonderfully represents Natalie’s musical career and allows us, as listeners, to celebrate her achievements, giving us an opportunity to reminisce about such a breathtaking night.

RATED: 4/5