One of the most popular articles on my blog in 2018 had to be the one about Robert Pattinson’s new album, Darling. The album was released on June 15th and it made #5 on the Billboard Top Albums list this year, and #29 on the Billboard 200 overall. The album was a major success and I think a lot of people are still listening to it even now, almost a month later. The album is still available for purchase on all major streaming platforms, and has been certified platinum in the U.S. It was even included on Billboard’s Top Albums of the Decade list in 2020.
While most people were busy celebrating the success of Darling, I decided to look elsewhere for musical content. I was searching for new music and came across Mia, Robbie’s (Robert Pattinson) solo album. Now, I’m definitely not one to judge a book by its cover, especially when it comes to musicians and their solo albums. So, I decided to give the album a try, even though I wasn’t really that familiar with Robbie’s work. I have to say that I was pretty impressed.
Before we dive into the review, here’s a bit about Robbie’s history.
The Evolution Of Robbie’s Career
Robbie began his career as the drummer for the British rock band Hot Hot Heat. The band was known for blending blues, reggae and pop. Hot Hot Heat released their debut album, Too Hot Not To Handle, back in 1997. The album debuted at #27 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart and was the start of a beautiful relationship between Robbie and Sony Music. Hot Hot Heat went on to enjoy quite a bit of success in the U.S. thanks to social media platforms such as Spotify.
After the band broke up in 2006, Robbie began working on his solo album. He took his time, slowly putting together a collection of songs that he had written over the years. The album was finished in 2016 and titled, Mia. He played all the instruments himself, with the exception of the piano, which was played by renowned British pianist, Roger Kellaway. Kellaway is probably best known for playing for Kate Middleton and Prince William as they got married back in 2010.
The Sound Of Mia
Mia is a completely organic, pop record. There aren’t really any comparisons to other artists or albums. Robbie’s previous experience as the drummer for a legendary band certainly comes through in his playing. He keeps the energy up on the entire album, creating a perfect atmosphere for the listener. Even his vocal performance is amazing; he truly inhabits each song on the album. It’s an impressive feat considering how much he had to learn as a singer, completely on his own.
There aren’t any bad songs on this album, just like there aren’t any good songs. It really is that simple. There are just songs. However, even if you aren’t a fan of Robbie’s work, you have to admit that the album is a bit of a masterpiece. Each song blends together perfectly, creating something that is as unique as the artist himself.
While most of the songs on the album are in English, there are also a couple that are in Spanish. These songs were inspired by a trip that Robbie took to South America back in 2014. He noticed that the natives there were speaking a different language, which he then began trying to put into words. One of these songs is titled, “Dance With Me,” and it was written about a woman named Mia, whom Robbie met while in transit in Buenos Aires. They began communicating using only their first names and then went on to develop a beautiful friendship. However, despite their close connection, Mia doesn’t actually appear on the album.
I think that it’s safe to say that everyone had a good experience listening to Mia. It’s a perfect mixture of talent, skill and music that makes for an incredible listening experience. I can’t recommend it enough. If you liked Darling, I think that you’re going to love Robbie’s solo album. It’s not often that you come across an album that is this perfect. If you’re looking for new music, I definitely recommend giving Mia a try. It’s available for purchase on both Spotify and Apple Music.