Bridge Over Troubled Dreams

Bridge Over Troubled Dreams

Delta Goodrem

Released: May 14 2021

Recorded: 2016-2021

Length: 43.06

Label: Sony Music Australia

Producer: Delta Goodrem, Mark Rankin, and Matthew Copley

Delta's sixth album of new material, previewed with singles the inspiring"Paralyzed", "Keep Climbing", the powerful "Solid Gold", "Billionaire" and the ballad "All Of My Friends". It released May 14 2021 alongside a same named book.

The album will be promoted with a series of concert dates throughout Australia and New Zealand on the Bridge over Troubled Dreams Tour, originally planned for April and May 2021 but postponed until September and October 2021. It was then post poned again till March and April 2022.

It also has a related book also called Bridge Over Troubled Dreams which is both autobiographical and discusses her artistry, her regrets and her growth since she started her career. Both book and album went to #1 on week of release in Australia. She also showcased some songs she had been working on on her The Bunkerdown Sessions in 2020 and 2021.

B-sides: Think About You, Back In 84, Welcome To Earth, Let It Rain, The Score

Background:
Goodrem officially marked the beginning of the new era with the release of "Keep Climbing", serving as the lead single for her seventh album. The song was globally premiered as part of Goodrem's seventh instalment of The Bunkerdown Sessions which she had carried out weekly within lockdown. A motivational piano ballad, Goodrem explained that her intention behind the song was to remind people to not be afraid to find the strength when they feel stuck between where they are and where they want to go”.

On 17 July 2020, Goodrem released the album's second official single, "Paralyzed". Lyrically, Goodrem explained the song to be a "narrative of when your whole world stops and has to be reset". Delta described the album upon the release of "Paralyzed" to be "a nod to [my old stuff] sonically speaking in terms of what I was listening to, and getting re-inspired by", further adding "I needed to kind of go back to what I used to do. I had to give myself the freedom to be a little eccentric again. With some of the other songs on the new record, I definitely allowed myself to change tempos; to not have a structure. And at the same time, to have hopefully enough catchiness for somebody to still grab hold of it. There's definitely still both sides of the coin."

In an interview with Grazia, Goodrem referred to the album as her "first 'woman' record", further explaining "my next album has really been about being transparent and finding that part of me that wants to be my authentic self at all times. The album is incredibly personal, raw and honest. I have opened up and shared stories that I have not shared before and people have really resonated to the transparency and vulnerability. I just want to make good music for people to have as soundtracks to their own lives." Delta has said the themes are home, being more literal, and a picture of Patti Smith.

"Solid Gold" and "Billionaire" are both bombastic country pop rock songs which came out in the months leading up to the albums release. Solid Gold more 70s then "Billionaire". "Billionaire" is more combative country rock.

She also showed off some songs from the album and b-sides on her Bunkerdown Sessions in 2020 and 2021.

Concept and themes:
A common theme on this album is gospel and religious elements and references to God and praying. Common themes include riches, fame, loneliness and home. Keep Climbing keeps it positive and honest about life, with an uplifting chorus. Standing up for yourself and finding good people to keep in your life in Billionaire and Solid Gold, both sassy country pop songs. A few contemplations on fame and influence on haunting Everybody's Famous and Dear Elton. Dear Elton also speaks to her closeness to the man himself and her regrets in her career. Paralyzed is an uplifting grande ballad about her personal medical issues which can be read to be about missing out on life in general and very universal. All Of My Friends is a gentle song contemplating loneliness and growing up. Kindness as a choice and having the power in your own life in Kill Them With Kindness and The Power. Both up lifting gospel numbers. Play is Delta's hope to keep playing forever. It's gospel choirs, the occasional guitar solo and strong vocals wall to wall. Billionaire and Solid Gold are the go to classic Delta pop tracks. Delta herself identifies the themes of home as an important part of this project.

Crash talks about the deeply personal topic of her birth and how it lead to her art and love of music.

Reviews:
In a positive review of the album, Retro Pop Magazine described the album as Goodrem's "most accomplished effort yet", and "a collection of tracks that look inward and share her most personal stories with the world"; highlighting "Everyone's Famous" as "an exploration of the nature of fame and the challenges it presents" and the "musings on the impact of success on close relationships" of "All of My Friends".

David from auspOp said "It's rare for an artist to let you in so deeply on each song and is a testament to how transparent she's being this album. It's all Delta and it's stunning"

Stack noted that Bridge over Troubled Dreams "successfully veer[s] from pop to ballads, gospel and even a country-tinged detour", and that the album's themes include "fame, fear and failing to live up to expectations".

Bridge Over Troubled Dreams tracklist:
All tracks are produced by Delta Goodrem, Mark Rankin, and Matthew Copley, except "The Power", produced by Goodrem and Copley.