[VIDEO PREMIERE] Brooke Fraser // Betty

Ok... so I might be a little late. Four weeks late in fact. Yes, the amazingly talented and beautiful Brooke Fraser premiered the video for the second release off her recent album Flags, on her website four weeks ago. So yes, a little late. Sue me.

Betty, the track in question, was co-written by Fraser and Switchfoot front man, Jon Foreman. It's another up-beat, catchy tune that radio stations *should* love. It easily gets stuck in your head, and is definitely one of the stronger tracks off her latest release.

The video clip features Brooke waltz through a field of flowers, surrounded by what can only be described as butterflies (or tiny birds, ummm, I'm not sure) made out of origami. It's very cute. Simple, I like it.

Something in the Water was a great choice for a first single and charted in the top 30 in Australia - let's see if Betty can do better.

PS: I'm going to see Brooke perform at the City Recital Hall in Sydney on Sunday 30th January - stay tuned for my update on how brilliant she was!

Purchase the Deluxe Edition of Flags digitally now [ITUNES]

[ALBUM REVIEW] Brooke Fraser // Flags

 A few weeks ago I posted an article about one of New Zealand's best exports - Brooke Fraser. Brooke's third studio album Flags was released last week... and yes, it lives up to expectations.

The album kick starts with the lead single Something in the Water, which is a catchy pop song that commercial stations will like, funnily enough with just a little taste of country in it. Don't let country tab alarm you however, it ain't no Taylor Swift (thank God) as it works and definitely adds something a little extra to the track.

Betty (co-written by Switchfoot's Jon Foreman) is another catchy tune that you'll be singing in no time; as is Coachella (one of my favourites), which reminds me a lot of Lifeline off the What To Do With Daylight album. Either of those tracks could be released as singles and they would do well both on radio airplay and chart wise.

Another stand out for me is Who Are We Fooling? which features UK artist Aqualung. Great vocals, and for me I hear a different Brooke to which we've heard before. Crows & Locusts reminds me a lot of Australia's own Bertie Blackman - a little haunting, yet utterly superb.

And Jack Kerouac makes you feel like someone has thrown a little UB40 into the mix, reggae style 2010. I wasn't a fan of it originally, however as I write this listening to the track I've noticed I'm almost shimmying in my seat. Guess that means it's grown on me.

Overall, Brooke has delivered. Her vocals, writing and overall production of the album has matured, and for nothing but the better. Don't get me wrong, there is certainly nothing wrong with her previous albums, in fact Albertine is an all time favourite for me; however Brooke has grown and I love what I hear.

In the last week Flags has debuted at #3 on the ARIA Albums Chart - her highest placed album in Australia so far - and #1 on the RIANZ Albums Chart in New Zealand.

Flags is available via iTunes now.