This Time

Released in late 2003, This Time serves as the debut studio album for Natalia, following her rise to fame on the Belgian version of Idool. The album is a unique hybrid of contemporary pop and traditional soul, a structure necessitated by the rapid turnaround required after the show's conclusion. It features seven original tracks and seven covers (on the expanded version), showcasing her versatility across genres like disco, big band, and R&B. The record was a commercial juggernaut in Belgium, achieving platinum status and spawning the hit single 'Higher Than The Sun'. Sonically, it is defined by its high-fidelity production and Natalia's signature belting style, which drew frequent comparisons to powerhouse vocalists like Anastacia and Tina Turner. The inclusion of standards like 'Orange Coloured Sky' alongside dance-pop tracks like 'I’ve Only Begun to Fight' highlights the artist's roots in classic vocal performance while pivoting toward the mainstream market of the early 2000s.