Paulini
Superwoman
SonyBMG


Much like how American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson has become a superstar, Paulini is fast transforming her reputation from being a mere talent-show contestant to one of Australia's fastest rising pop stars of late.

'Superwoman' is a significant album for Paulini - her debut was mostly a collection of old songs, comparable to her Idol time renditions. However this album unveils a more self-confident woman, flaunting her true colours and defining herself as a sexy and sophisticated solo artist. It is evidently clear in Who Will I Run To, The Poet and Superwoman (the album also includes a remix of the latter) that Paulini's music has a maturity likened to Tina Arena, Delta Goodrem (who is closer in age) or, dare I say it when she hits those high, strong notes - Whitney Houston.

But 'Superwoman' also sees Paulini successfully dabbling in a funkier r'n'b-pop sound with Call Me and Rough Day. She co-writes three of the 12 tracks, Last Love, Shake It Up (I love the repetitive creepy violin in the background!) and So Over You, however, the beat in So Over You sounds almost identical to Beyoncˇ's Crazy In Love!

Along with the other successful post-Idol contestants, I suspect that Paulini couldn't have entered the industry at a better time, as currently Australia is lacking in many big name mainstream solo singers, so there is not too much competition. The only thing she could work on is decreasing the urge to trail her notes, but generally, if 'Superwoman' is any indication for the future, Paulini's star will only continue to rise.

Sherree Woodmore