The New album ‘Pure Love’ from Gabriella Cilmi is out now
Gabriella Cilmi today releases her long-awaited new album ‘Pure Love’ - her first in thirteen years! The international #1 artist, ‘Sweet About Me’ hitmaker and six-time ARIA Award winner has been back in the spotlight in recent months, with airplay at Radio 2 and Radio 4, a guest appearance on ‘Sunday Brunch’ and an in-depth interview with The Line of Best Fit.
Pure Love’ represents a triumphant rebirth for Gabriella. Her warm unmistakably expressive voice wraps itself around the deep soul, jazz and classic rock that has always been closest to her heart. The result is a heady, modern take on classic influences such as Carole King, Roberta Flack and Janis Joplin with the musicianship of the Muscle Shoals tradition. Its organic vibe comes from recording live to tape, improvising upon initial ideas while working with producer Peter Miles (Dodie, Orla Gartland) at Middle Farm Studios, Devon.
Listen HERE.
Photo Credit: Daniel Broadly
“A collection of songs that stand like a fine wine; sultry and smooth, with just enough bite to remind you that with this album, she is asserting herself with confidence.” - The Line of Best Fit
“Pure Love is not just Cilmi’s best album; it’s one of the best albums of the year. Making the most of her warm, smoky contralto, it blends rock, soul and pop, drawing inspiration from artists such as Aretha Franklin, Carole King and The Rolling Stones” - Sydney Morning Herald/ The Age
‘Pure Love’ represents a triumphant rebirth for Gabriella. Her warm unmistakably expressive voice wraps itself around the deep soul, jazz and classic rock that has always been closest to her heart. The result is a heady, modern take on classic influences such as Carole King, Roberta Flack and Janis Joplin with the musicianship of the Muscle Shoals tradition. Its organic vibe comes from recording live to tape, improvising upon initial ideas while working with producer Peter Miles (Dodie, Orla Gartland) at Middle Farm Studios, Devon.
Gabriella says, “For a long time I wasn't sure what kind of record I wanted to make. I spent years running away from myself, believing the key to this album was abandoning my past. Then I was shown a video of me at 12, belting out the Rolling Stones' 'Jumping Jack Flash', stomping my feet and singing my heart out, and it hit me. It reconnected me with her, her joy, and the music that made me want to sing in the first place.”
So I began to revisit all the versions of myself: the girl who was signed at 13, the teenager living out her dream playing around the world, and the woman with a music industry hangover who felt lost and misunderstood. To make this record I had to journey inward, which is why 'Pure Love' feels like a homecoming.
Learning to let go of perfection in the recording process was a big part of it too. We recorded to tape, with the whole band together in one room, and I really think that helped us capture an extra piece of magic."
Lyrically, the album sees Gabriella sharing themes and reflections upon confidence, empowerment and self-determination throughout, with an acceptance that life’s mistakes are there to be learned from. The latter is the spirit within the new focus track ‘What We Do’. It’s a song which grows in stature, with stirringly soulful call-and-response gospel vocals that acknowledge that the journey of life is full of imperfections - but when they come from a place of love and good intentions, it’s all part of the process.
Beyond its singles, the ‘Pure Love’ album exemplifies the new found freedom and inspiration that Gabriella is embracing with this new chapter in her story. Some songs revisit her past. ‘Too Far Gone’ documents the things she was told when she started standing up for herself as a teenager in the pop world (“It’s not very ladylike to put up a fight”), while ‘No To A King’ confronts the power imbalances that were an all-too-common experience of that time. Yet there’s also the joy of the current moment with ‘No Apologies’ tackling the security of being accepted for who you are, and the tender, climactic ‘Love Me Like It’s The End Of The World’, a declaration of wanting to be loved that was informed by her partner’s love of disaster movies.
Physical copies of ‘Pure Love’ are available to buy HERE. Gabriella’s official store offers a signed Goldy Locks vinyl with a sticker sheet, a signed CD, and black vinyl. All album bundles add a signed art print.
2026 has seen Gabriella play a BRITS Week for War Child show alongside Jack Savoretti and Katherine Jenkins, a set at The Great Escape, and a full UK tour as guest to Beverley Knight. She commences an Australian headline tour next week, before returning to the UK for a tour that includes a London show at Bush Hall. Please see HERE for remaining tickets. The dates are:
NOVEMBER
19th - Leeds, Hyde Park Book Club
20th - Edinburgh, The Cabaret Voltaire
21st - Newcastle, Head of Steam
22nd - Manchester, Night and Day
24th - London, Bush Hall
26th - Birmingham, Dead Wax
