Nina Badrić discography

"Personality" (1997)

Late Dino Dvornik (and we should not forget Oliver Mandić way before him) really broke the ice by bringing fresh, modern production to local pop music that was dangerously sinking into stale "schlager" swamp of mainstream festivals and stereotypes - with Dvornik, we suddenly got homegrown music that was played in trendy clubs and bars and he inspired a whole new generation of artists who determinedly followed newest international fashions instead of commercial folk.

In many ways, Nina Badrić is Dvornik's godchild - apparently he was impressed with her voice enough to use his clout to get her recording contract and it all started from there. Her earliest recordings were in music genre that did not appeal to me but with this album - step into soulful, funk direction - Badrić got herself sizable radio hit with her cover of "I'm so excited" that impressed many listeners unaware that singer is in fact white, East European girl from Croatia. Since she collaborates with the same team who works with Vanna, comparisons are inevitable but to my ears they nicely compliment each other, as they both belong to same generation of young, urban singers who probably listened similar music and in all probability instead of being competition, they might be good friends. Where Vanna has a huge, Whitney Houston-like voice, Badrić was born with naturally "black" sound that seriously suggest she had listened a lot of soul singers. Album brought several nice, big hits and its interesting that singer herself wrote several lyrics - composer Ante Pecotić is fairly represented and he must have a ball working with two of the best Croatian female singers simultaneously. 

"Unique" (1999)

Quite impressive third solo album by latest Croatian pop sensation who works with exactly same team as celebrated Vanna - Boytronic, Ante Pecotić, Ilan Kabiljo, names that guarantee certain urban sensibility and music that will be played in trendy clubs. In just a few years Badrić managed to built quite a impressive reputation as one of the best vocalists in country and her powerful, naturally soulful voice won many fans even amongst celebrities who often named her as favorite singer. Besides obvious pleasure to listen such gifted singer biting into strong material, the most interesting thing about this album is how contemporary it sounds in comparison to any latest release recorded in world's biggest recording studios - unrepentantly urban and looking towards west rather than east, this is collection that suggest that little Croatia has not only sport but music talents that can stand up to any international heavyweights. Retro-disco "Na kraj svijeta" was smash hit and deservedly so, because its feel-good number that Donna Summer herself would have liked. 

"Nina" (2000)

Careful - and welcome - change in sound, courtesy of lots of new collaborators who brought different music ideas. Further distancing herself from any comparisons with Vanna, Badrić replaces what was basically other girl's music team with her new choice of songwriters and even though production still suggest party, clubbing music, this time we hear step into new direction - "Ako Kažeš Da Me Ne Voliš" has Spanish, acoustic guitar intro and lilting "Nek Ti Bude Kao Meni" with its Cuban atmosphere places singer in completely new territory that sound fresh and exciting. In her heart, Badrić still can't completely let go from those early dance roots ("Igraj se") so the large portion of this album still has certain dance flourishes and flirtations with English-language phrases (even one song recorded completely in English) but transition is set in motion and we are aware that she is curious and brave enough to spread her wings and experiment with other genres. Singer herself wrote several lyrics and other collaborators are Darko Juranović, Miro Lesić, Sandra Sagena, Ivana Husar and brothers Brešković, all of them gifted songwriters ready to bring Badrić into new millennium. 

"Ljubav" (2003)

Good news : Badrić, who have in the past occasionally written a song or two, have this time written almost the whole material herself and results are fascinating because what comes out of her heart is relaxed, romantic and unexpectedly lush. She is still urban girl raised on dance music and her production team wraps everything in current, clubbing sound but between the lines, undertones are almost torch ballads. Just to point how far she had metamorphosed, "Moja Ljubav" actually starts with guitar intro straight from classical piece "Concierto de Aranjuez" - this is definitely worlds away from where she started and change is dramatic. As always, comparisons with Vanna are inevitable, because

Badrić uses same musicians (Darko Juranović, Ante Pecotić,  Sandra Sagena etc) so yes, there is a certain similarity of sound but apparently girls get along just fine and Croatian music scene is just richer for having both of them. Infectious and breezy "Za Dobre I Loše Dane" might be a highlight and it comes in two different versions of which I prefer second ((Gelo Live Edit), it is absolutely beautiful, feel-good song and wonder of wonders its actually composed by singer herself, its one of her best recordings ever. In fact, the whole album is such a pleasant surprise that it might be my favorite in her discography.