It took a while, but Nicole Bernegger has finally broken free as an artist. This is not to say that the Basel singer has not been true to herself over the years, but, after winning reality talent show “The Voice of Switzerland” a decade ago and living through the subsequent hype, she has had to do the hard miles to discover herself again like she did with her band The Kitchenettes.
The music on her new album is testament to this journey. Bernegger has always loved late 1960s soul and makes no apologies for it here. “Back To You” is not purely a retro album but has obvious contemporary influences. Nevertheless, the groove of a long-forgotten era shines through in all nine tracks in some way or another, along with elements of disco, pop and funk.
Bernegger, now 46, used to have to play for a chart position. Those days are gone. Her fourth LP sounds fresh and relaxed. From the soothing “Red Blue Yellow Green” to the sensual “Crescent Moon” – the songs by Bernegger and her trusted band ooze authenticity. To be clear: this is Nicole Bernegger, not “The Voice of Switzerland”. She is making the music she wants without the record label forcing her to collaborate with musician xyz or manufacturing some hip new sound for her.
The mother of three is now in full control in every sense. Four years ago, she waved goodbye to the major record companies and created her own label together with manager Steffi Klär. And in making this new record, she even sat in the production chair for the first-ever time. Recorded at One Drop Studio in Basel, the resultant album has an organic, warm, earthy feel.
The likeable singer’s outward appearance has also evolved. Bernegger used to stick to a strictly sixties-inspired fashion regime with signature bun ponytail. She has now discarded this visual corset – and taken a further step back from her old television persona.
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