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'''''Better in Blak''''' is the debut [[studio album]] by Australian singer-songwriter [[Thelma Plum]], released on 7 July 2019 through [[Warner Music Australasia|Warner Music Australia]].
'''''Better in Blak''''' is the debut [[studio album]] by Australian singer-songwriter [[Thelma Plum]], released on 7 July 2019 through [[Warner Music Australasia|Warner Music Australia]].


''Better in Blak'' peaked at number 4 on the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Albums Chart]] and was nominated for various awards, including [[ARIA Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]], [[ARIA Award for Best Cover Art|Best Cover Art]], [[ARIA Award for Best Female Artist|Best Female Artist]], [[ARIA Award for Best Pop Release|Best Pop Release]], [[ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist – Release|Breakthrough Artist]] at the [[ARIA Music Awards of 2019|2019 ARIA Music Awards]], the [[2019 Australian Music Prize|2019]] edition of the [[Australian Music Prize]], Australian Album of the Year at the [[J Awards of 2019|2019 J Awards]], Album of the Year at the [[National Indigenous Music Awards|2019 National Indigenous Music Awards]], and Album of the Year at the [[Queensland Music Awards of 2020|2020 Queensland Music Awards]], receiving two; Best Cover Art at the ARIA Awards and Album of the Year at the Queensland Music Awards.
The album peaked at number 4 on the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Albums Chart]].

In July 2019, ''Better in Blak'' was nominated for Album of the Year and the title track was nominated for Film Clip of the Year at the [[National Indigenous Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nima.musicnt.com.au/news/national-indigenous-music-awards-unveils-2019-nominations/|title=National Indigenous Music Awards unveils 2019 Nominations |publisher=National Indigenous Music Awards|date=July 2019 |accessdate=19 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nima.musicnt.com.au/news/record-breaking-crowd-for-the-2019-national-indigenous-music-awards/|title=Record Breaking Crowd for the 2019 National Indigenous Music Awards! |publisher=National Indigenous Music Awards |date=13 August 2019|accessdate=16 April 2019}}</ref> At the [[ARIA Music Awards of 2019]] she was nominated in six categories,<ref name="ARIA noms 2019">{{cite web | url = https://ariaawards.com.au/news/2019/2019-aria-awards-nominated-artists-revealed | title = ARIA Awards: 2019 ARIA Awards Nominated Artists Revealed | publisher = [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) | date = 10 October 2019 | accessdate = 10 October 2019 }}</ref> she won [[ARIA Award for Best Cover Art|Best Cover Art]] for Emilie Pfitzner's work.<ref name="ARIA noms 2019"/><ref name="ARIA Fine Arts & Artisan winners 2019">{{cite web | url = https://ariaawards.com.au/News/2019/2019-Fine-Arts-Artisan-ARIA-winners-announced | title = ARIA Awards: 2019 Fine Arts & Artisan Winners Announced | publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | date = 10 October 2019 | accessdate = 10 October 2019 }}</ref>

At the [[J Awards of 2019]], the album was nominated for Australian Album of the Year.<ref name="2019winner">{{cite web|title = The J Award 2019|website = [[Triple J]]|url = https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/j-awards-2019/|publisher= [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|year = 2019|accessdate =15 August 2020}}</ref>

At the [[Queensland Music Awards]] of 2020, the album won Album of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.queenslandmusicawards.com.au/past-winners/2020|title=Past Winners 2020|website=Queensland Music Awards|access-date=26 March 2021}}</ref>

In February 2020, the album was nominated for [[Australian Music Prize|Australian Music Prize 2019]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/amp-winner-sampa-the-great-creates-history-20200305-p547ab.html?fbclid=IwAR295k-easlLaWMcP5ri1pezyZjstE47lcNwoO61Ox5ZDD2dPEqFedQy8Hw|title=AMP winner Sampa The Great creates history|website=Sydney Morning Herald|date=6 March 2020|accessdate=13 April 2020}}</ref>


An anniversary edition was released in November 2020.
An anniversary edition was released in November 2020.


==Critical reception==
==Reception==
{{Album ratings
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = ''[[The Newcastle Herald]]''
| rev1 = ''[[The Newcastle Herald]]''
Line 52: Line 44:
Josh Leeson of ''[[The Newcastle Herald]]'' wrote: "Emotional, and unapologetically honest, the Indigenous artist addresses racism, sexism and her broken heart", adding, "Plum's voice is placed at the forefront of the mix, allowing the sparse indie-folk instrumentation to provide casual direction."<ref name="NH">{{cite web |url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/6277685/album-review-thelma-plum-delivers-the-fruits-of-labour/ |title=Review: Better in Blak – Thelma Plum – 4 stars |work=[[The Newcastle Herald]] |date=16 June 2019 |accessdate=16 June 2020 |author=Leeson, Josh}}</ref>
Josh Leeson of ''[[The Newcastle Herald]]'' wrote: "Emotional, and unapologetically honest, the Indigenous artist addresses racism, sexism and her broken heart", adding, "Plum's voice is placed at the forefront of the mix, allowing the sparse indie-folk instrumentation to provide casual direction."<ref name="NH">{{cite web |url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/6277685/album-review-thelma-plum-delivers-the-fruits-of-labour/ |title=Review: Better in Blak – Thelma Plum – 4 stars |work=[[The Newcastle Herald]] |date=16 June 2019 |accessdate=16 June 2020 |author=Leeson, Josh}}</ref>


Al Newstead from [[Triple J]] wrote that ''Better in Blak'' is "an album of healing, [and] transforming the pain and sadness of a dark few years into a courageous, self-assured debut album."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/musicnews/thelma-plum-better-in-blak-feature-album-interview-review/11300118 |title=Better in Blak: Thelma Plum transforms trauma into triumph on her healing debut album |work=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] |date=11 June 2019 |accessdate=16 June 2020 |author=Newstead, Al}}</ref>
Al Newstead from [[Triple J]] wrote that ''Better in Blak'' is "an album of healing, [and] transforming the pain and sadness of a dark few years into a courageous, self-assured debut album."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/musicnews/thelma-plum-better-in-blak-feature-album-interview-review/11300118 |title=Better in Blak: Thelma Plum transforms trauma into triumph on her healing debut album |work=[[Triple J]] |date=11 June 2019 |accessdate=16 June 2020 |author=Newstead, Al}}</ref>


Thomas Bleach described the album as "a collection of hard-hitting and thought invoking {{sic}} moments", and "one of the most impressive debuts of the year".<ref name="TB">{{cite web |url=https://thomasbleach.com/2019/07/11/album-review-thelma-plum-better-in-blak/ |title=Album Review: Thelma Plum – Better in Blak |work=Thomas Bleach |date=11 July 2019 |accessdate=16 June 2020 |author=Bleach, Thomas}}</ref> He also wrote that ''Better in Blak'' "embodies the different sides of her artistry in an honest and endearing way."<ref name="TB"/>
Thomas Bleach described the album as "a collection of hard-hitting and thought invoking {{sic}} moments", and "one of the most impressive debuts of the year".<ref name="TB">{{cite web |url=https://thomasbleach.com/2019/07/11/album-review-thelma-plum-better-in-blak/ |title=Album Review: Thelma Plum – Better in Blak |work=Thomas Bleach |date=11 July 2019 |accessdate=16 June 2020 |author=Bleach, Thomas}}</ref> He also wrote that ''Better in Blak'' "embodies the different sides of her artistry in an honest and endearing way."<ref name="TB"/>
Line 58: Line 50:
==Track listing==
==Track listing==
{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = ''Better in Blak'' track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length =
| title1 = [[Clumsy Love]]
| title1 = [[Clumsy Love]]
| writer1 = [[Thelma Plum]]
| writer1 = [[Thelma Plum]]
Line 66: Line 58:


| title2 = Don't Let a Good Girl Down
| title2 = Don't Let a Good Girl Down
| writer2 = {{flat list|
| writer2 = {{hlist|Plum|[[Alexander Burnett (musician)|Alexander Burnett]]|Oli Horton}}
*Plum
*[[Alexander Burnett (musician)|Alexander Burnett]]
*Oli Horton}}
| extra2 =
| extra2 =
| length2 = 2:54
| length2 = 2:54
Line 75: Line 64:
| title3 = Love and War
| title3 = Love and War
| note3 = featuring [[David Le'aupepe]]
| note3 = featuring [[David Le'aupepe]]
| writer3 = {{flat list|
| writer3 = {{hlist|Plum|Ross James|Le'aupepe}}
*Plum
*Ross James
*David Le'aupepe}}
| extra3 =
| extra3 =
| length3 = 3:28
| length3 = 3:28


| title4 = Not Angry Anymore
| title4 = Not Angry Anymore
| writer4 = {{flat list|
| writer4 = {{hlist|Plum|Burnett|Horton}}
*Plum
*Burnett
*Horton}}
| extra4 =
| extra4 =
| length4 = 3:23
| length4 = 3:23


| title5 = Homecoming Queen
| title5 = Homecoming Queen
| writer5 = {{flat list|
| writer5 = {{hlist|Plum|Burnett|Horton}}
*Plum
*Burnett
*Horton}}
| extra5 =
| extra5 =
| length5 = 3:51
| length5 = 3:51


| title6 = [[Better in Blak (song)|Better in Blak]]
| title6 = [[Better in Blak (song)|Better in Blak]]
| writer6 = {{flat list|
| writer6 = {{hlist|Plum|Burnett|Horton}}
*Plum
*Burnett
*Horton}}
| extra6 =
| extra6 =
| length6 = 3:12
| length6 = 3:12


| title7 = Woke Blokes
| title7 = Woke Blokes
| writer7 = {{flat list|
| writer7 = {{hlist|Plum|Burnett|Horton}}
*Plum
*Burnett
*Horton}}
| extra7 =
| extra7 =
| length7 = 2:34
| length7 = 2:34


| title8 = Nick Cave
| title8 = Nick Cave
| writer8 = {{flat list|
| writer8 = {{hlist|Plum|Burnett}}
*Plum
*Burnett}}
| extra8 =
| extra8 =
| length8 = 2:45
| length8 = 2:45


| title9 = Thulumaay Gii
| title9 = Thulumaay Gii
| writer9 = {{flat list|
| writer9 = {{hlist|Plum|Burnett|Horton}}
*Plum
*Burnett
*Horton}}
| extra9 =
| extra9 =
| length9 = 2:50
| length9 = 2:50


| title10 = Ugly
| title10 = Ugly
| writer10 = {{flat list|
| writer10 = {{hlist|Plum|Burnett|Horton}}
*Plum
*Burnett
*Horton}}
| extra10 =
| extra10 =
| length10 = 3:07
| length10 = 3:07
Line 143: Line 109:


| title12 = Made for You
| title12 = Made for You
| writer12 = {{flat list|
| writer12 = {{hlist|Plum|[[David Kahne]]|[[Paul Kelly (Australian musician)|Paul Kelly]]|[[Paul McCartney]]}}
*Plum
*[[David Kahne]]
*[[Paul Kelly (Australian musician)|Paul Kelly]]
*[[Paul McCartney]]}}
| extra12 =
| extra12 =
| length12 = 3:30
| length12 = 3:30
| total_length =
}}
}}

{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| extra_column = notes
| extra_column = notes
| headline = ''Better in Blak'' — {{nobold|Anniversary Edition (bonus tracks)}} track listing
| total_length =
| headline = ''Better in Blak''&nbsp;— {{nobold|Anniversary Edition (bonus tracks)}}
| collapsed = yes
| collapsed = yes
| title13 = Body Do the Talking
| title13 = Body Do the Talking
| writer13 = {{flat list|}}
| writer13 = {{hlist|}}
| extra13 = {{flat list|}}
| extra13 = {{hlist|}}
| length13 = 2:26
| length13 = 2:26


| title14 = Clumsy Love
| title14 = Clumsy Love
| writer14 = {{flat list|}}
| writer14 = {{hlist|}}
| extra14 = St South remix
| extra14 = St South remix
| length14 = 2:48
| length14 = 2:48


| title15 = Better in Blak
| title15 = Better in Blak
| writer15 = {{flat list|}}
| writer15 = {{hlist|}}
| extra15 = Antony & Cleopatra remix
| extra15 = [[Antony and Cleopatra (musical duo)|Antony & Cleopatra]] remix
| length15 = 3:48
| length15 = 3:48


| title16 = Homecoming Queen
| title16 = Homecoming Queen
| writer16 = {{flat list|}}
| writer16 = {{hlist|}}
| extra16 = Alice Ivy remix
| extra16 = [[Alice Ivy]] remix
| length16 = 4:28
| length16 = 4:28


| title17 = Clumsy Love
| title17 = Clumsy Love
| writer17 = {{flat list|}}
| writer17 = {{hlist|}}
| extra17 = Acoustic
| extra17 = Acoustic
| length17 = 3:06
| length17 = 3:06


| title18 = Better in Blak
| title18 = Better in Blak
| writer18 = {{flat list|}}
| writer18 = {{hlist|}}
| extra18 = Piano version
| extra18 = Piano version
| length18 = 2:44
| length18 = 2:44
| total_length =
}}
}}

==Awards and nominations==
'''[[ARIA Music Awards]]'''
{{Awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="5"| [[ARIA Music Awards of 2019|2019]]
| rowspan="5"| ''Better in Blak''{{efn-la|Plum was nominated for [[ARIA Award for Best Cover Art|Best Cover Art]] for Emilie Pfitzner artwork design.<ref name="ARIA Fine Arts & Artisan winners 2019"/>}}
| [[ARIA Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]]
| {{Nominated}}
| rowspan="5"| <ref name="ARIA noms 2019">{{cite web |url=https://ariaawards.com.au/news/2019/2019-aria-awards-nominated-artists-revealed |title=ARIA Awards: 2019 ARIA Awards Nominated Artists Revealed |publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) |date=10 October 2019 |access-date=10 October 2019}}</ref><ref name="ARIA Fine Arts & Artisan winners 2019">{{cite web |url=https://ariaawards.com.au/News/2019/2019-Fine-Arts-Artisan-ARIA-winners-announced |title=ARIA Awards: 2019 Fine Arts & Artisan Winners Announced |publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) |date=10 October 2019 |access-date=10 October 2019}}</ref>
|-
| [[ARIA Award for Best Cover Art|Best Cover Art]]
| {{Won}}
|-
| [[ARIA Award for Best Female Artist|Best Female Artist]]
| rowspan="3" {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[ARIA Award for Best Pop Release|Best Pop Release]]
|-
| [[ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist – Release|Breakthrough Artist]]
|}

'''[[Australian Music Prize]]'''
{{Awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! scope="row"| [[2019 Australian Music Prize|2019]]
| ''Better in Blak''
| Album of the Year
| {{Nominated}}
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/amp-winner-sampa-the-great-creates-history-20200305-p547ab.html |title=AMP winner Sampa The Great creates history |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=6 March 2020 |access-date=6 April 2021 |author=Boulton, Martin}}</ref>
|}

'''[[J Awards]]'''
{{Awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! scope="row"| [[J Awards of 2019|2019]]
| ''Better in Blak''
| Australian Album of the Year
| {{Nominated}}
| <ref name="2019winner">{{cite web
|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/j-awards-2019/ |title=J Awards: 2019 |work=[[Triple J]] |date=2019 |accessdate=15 August 2020}}</ref>
|}

'''[[National Indigenous Music Awards]]'''
{{Awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! scope="row"| [[National Indigenous Music Awards 2019|2019]]
| ''Better in Blak''
| Album of the Year
| {{Nominated}}
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://nima.musicnt.com.au/news/national-indigenous-music-awards-unveils-2019-nominations/ |title=National Indigenous Music Awards unveils 2019 Nominations |publisher=[[National Indigenous Music Awards]] |date=July 2019 |access-date=19 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://nima.musicnt.com.au/news/record-breaking-crowd-for-the-2019-national-indigenous-music-awards/ |title=Record Breaking Crowd for the 2019 National Indigenous Music Awards! |publisher=[[National Indigenous Music Awards]] |date=13 August 2019 |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>
|}

'''[[Queensland Music Awards]]'''
{{Awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! scope="row"| [[Queensland Music Awards of 2020|2020]]
| ''Better in Blak''
| Album of the Year
| {{Won}}
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.queenslandmusicawards.com.au/past-winners/2020 |title=Past Winners 2020 |publisher=[[Queensland Music Awards]] |access-date=26 March 2021}}</ref>
|}


==Charts==
==Charts==
===Weekly charts===
===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Weekly chart performance for "Better in Blak"
|-
! Chart (2019)
! Chart (2019)
! Peak<br />position
! Peak<br />position
Line 200: Line 229:
===Year-end charts===
===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2019 year-end chart performance for "Better in Blak"
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2019)
! scope="col"| Chart (2019)
! scope="col"| Position
! scope="col"| Position
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Artist Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/annual-charts/2019/australian-artist-albums-chart|title=Australian Artist (ARIA) End of Year Albums Chart 2019|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|accessdate=15 January 2020}}</ref>
! scope="row"| Australian Artist Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/annual-charts/2019/australian-artist-albums-chart|title=Australian Artist (ARIA) End of Year Albums Chart 2019|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|accessdate=15 January 2020}}</ref>
| 46
| 46
|+2020 year-end chart performance for "Better in Blak"
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2020)
! scope="col"| Chart (2020)
! scope="col"| Position
! scope="col"| Position
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2020/albums-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2020|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|accessdate=15 January 2021}}</ref>
! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2020/albums-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2020|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|accessdate=15 January 2021}}</ref>
| 87
| 87
|}
|}
Line 216: Line 245:
==Release history==
==Release history==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+Release details, including date and label
|+Release history and formats for ''Better in Blak''
! scope="col"| Region
! Region
! scope="col"| Date
! Date
! scope="col"| Format
! Format
! scope="col"| Edition
! Edition
! scope="col"| Label
! Label
! scope="col"| Catalogue
! Catalogue
! {{Abbr|Ref|Reference}}
|-
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2"| Various
! scope="row" rowspan="2"| Various
| 12 July 2019
| 12 July 2019
| {{hlist|[[Compact disc|CD]]|[[LP record|LP]]|[[Music download|digital download]]|[[streaming media|streaming]]}}
| [[Compact disc|CD]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/music/browse/alternative/better-in-blak/387955/ |title=Better in Blak (CD) by Thelma Plum |website=[[JB Hi-Fi]] |date=12 July 2019 |accessdate=16 June 2020}}</ref> [[LP record|LP]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/music/Whats-Hot/alternative/better-in-blak-vinyl/387965/ |title=Better in Blak (Vinyl) by Thelma Plum |website=JB Hi-Fi |date=12 July 2019 |accessdate=16 June 2020}}</ref> [[Music download|digital download]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/better-in-blak/1464494026 |title=Better in Blak by Thelma Plum on Apple Music |website=Apple Music AU |date=12 July 2019 |accessdate=16 June 2020}}</ref> [[streaming media|streaming]]
| Standard
| Standard
| scope="row" rowspan="3"| [[Warner Music Australia]]
| scope="row" rowspan="3"| [[Warner Music Australia]]
| 5419704880
| 5419704880
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/music/browse/alternative/better-in-blak/387955/ |title=Better in Blak (CD) by Thelma Plum |publisher=[[JB Hi-Fi]] |date=12 July 2019 |accessdate=16 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/music/Whats-Hot/alternative/better-in-blak-vinyl/387965/ |title=Better in Blak (Vinyl) by Thelma Plum |publisher=[[JB Hi-Fi]] |date=12 July 2019 |accessdate=16 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/better-in-blak/1464494026/ |title=Better in Blak by Thelma Plum on Apple Music |publisher=[[Apple Music]] |date=12 July 2019 |accessdate=16 June 2020}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 6 November 2020
| 6 November 2020
| {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}}
| digital download,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/better-in-blak-anniversary-edition/1534857180 |title=Better in Blak (Anniversary Edition) by Thelma Plum on Apple Music |website=Apple Music AU |date=6 November 2020|accessdate=1 November 2020}}</ref> streaming
| scope="row" rowspan="2"| Anniversary Edition
| scope="row" rowspan="2"| Anniversary Edition
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/better-in-blak-anniversary-edition/1534857180/ |title=Better in Blak (Anniversary Edition) by Thelma Plum on Apple Music |publisher=[[Apple Music]] |date=6 November 2020|accessdate=1 November 2020}}</ref>
|
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Australia
! scope="row"| Australia
| 12 November 2020
| 12 November 2020
| LP
| [[Vinyl record|LP]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/vinyl-plum-thelma-better-in-blak-anniversary-edition-vinyl-lp |title=Better in Blak (Anniversary Edition LP) by Thelma Plum on Apple Music |website=JB HiFI |date=13 November 2020|accessdate=1 November 2020}}</ref>
| 5419708255
| 5419708255
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/vinyl-plum-thelma-better-in-blak-anniversary-edition-vinyl-lp |title=Better in Blak (Anniversary Edition LP) by Thelma Plum on Apple Music |website=JB HiFI |date=13 November 2020|accessdate=1 November 2020}}</ref>
|}
|}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
===Notes===
{{Notelist}}
{{Notelist-la}}


{{Thelma Plum}}
{{Thelma Plum}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:2019 debut albums]]
[[Category:2019 debut albums]]
[[Category:Warner Music Australasia albums]]
[[Category:Thelma Plum albums]]
[[Category:Thelma Plum albums]]
[[Category:ARIA Award winners]]
[[Category:ARIA Award winners]]
[[Category:Warner Music Australasia albums]]

Revision as of 02:59, 6 April 2021

For the title track, see Better in Blak (song).

Better in Blak
Studio album by
Thelma Plum
Released12 July 2019 (2019-07-12)
LabelWarner Music Australia
Producer
Thelma Plum chronology
Monsters
(2014) 		Better in Blak
(2019)
Singles from Better in Blak
  1. "Clumsy Love"
    Released: 13 July 2018
  2. "Not Angry Anymore"
    Released: 1 February 2019
  3. "Better in Blak"
    Released: 26 April 2019

Better in Blak is the debut studio album by Australian singer-songwriter Thelma Plum, released on 7 July 2019 through Warner Music Australia.

Better in Blak peaked at number 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was nominated for various awards, including Album of the Year, Best Cover Art, Best Female Artist, Best Pop Release, Breakthrough Artist at the 2019 ARIA Music Awards, the 2019 edition of the Australian Music Prize, Australian Album of the Year at the 2019 J Awards, Album of the Year at the 2019 National Indigenous Music Awards, and Album of the Year at the 2020 Queensland Music Awards, receiving two; Best Cover Art at the ARIA Awards and Album of the Year at the Queensland Music Awards.

An anniversary edition was released in November 2020.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Newcastle Herald[1]

Josh Leeson of The Newcastle Herald wrote: "Emotional, and unapologetically honest, the Indigenous artist addresses racism, sexism and her broken heart", adding, "Plum's voice is placed at the forefront of the mix, allowing the sparse indie-folk instrumentation to provide casual direction."[1]

Al Newstead from Triple J wrote that Better in Blak is "an album of healing, [and] transforming the pain and sadness of a dark few years into a courageous, self-assured debut album."[2]

Thomas Bleach described the album as "a collection of hard-hitting and thought invoking [sic] moments", and "one of the most impressive debuts of the year".[3] He also wrote that Better in Blak "embodies the different sides of her artistry in an honest and endearing way."[3]

Track listing

Better in Blak track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Clumsy Love"Thelma Plum3:07
2."Don't Let a Good Girl Down"
2:54
3."Love and War" (featuring David Le'aupepe)
  • Plum
  • Ross James
  • Le'aupepe
3:28
4."Not Angry Anymore"
  • Plum
  • Burnett
  • Horton
3:23
5."Homecoming Queen"
  • Plum
  • Burnett
  • Horton
3:51
6."Better in Blak"
  • Plum
  • Burnett
  • Horton
3:12
7."Woke Blokes"
  • Plum
  • Burnett
  • Horton
2:34
8."Nick Cave"
  • Plum
  • Burnett
2:45
9."Thulumaay Gii"
  • Plum
  • Burnett
  • Horton
2:50
10."Ugly"
  • Plum
  • Burnett
  • Horton
3:07
11."Do You Ever Get So Sad You Can't Breathe"Plum2:17
12."Made for You"
3:30
Better in Blak — Anniversary Edition (bonus tracks) track listing
No.TitlenotesLength
13."Body Do the Talking" 2:26
14."Clumsy Love"St South remix2:48
15."Better in Blak"Antony & Cleopatra remix3:48
16."Homecoming Queen"Alice Ivy remix4:28
17."Clumsy Love"Acoustic3:06
18."Better in Blak"Piano version2:44

Awards and nominations

ARIA Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019 Better in Blak[a] Album of the Year Nominated [5][4]
Best Cover Art Won
Best Female Artist Nominated
Best Pop Release
Breakthrough Artist

Australian Music Prize

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019 Better in Blak Album of the Year Nominated [6]

J Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019 Better in Blak Australian Album of the Year Nominated [7]

National Indigenous Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019 Better in Blak Album of the Year Nominated [8][9]

Queensland Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 Better in Blak Album of the Year Won [10]

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Better in Blak"
Chart (2019) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[11] 4

Year-end charts

2019 year-end chart performance for "Better in Blak"
Chart (2019) Position
Australian Artist Albums (ARIA)[12] 46
2020 year-end chart performance for "Better in Blak"
Chart (2020) Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[13] 87

Release history

Release history and formats for Better in Blak
Region Date Format Edition Label Catalogue Ref
Various 12 July 2019
Standard Warner Music Australia 5419704880 [14][15][16]
6 November 2020
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Anniversary Edition [17]
Australia 12 November 2020 LP 5419708255 [18]

References

  1. ^ a b Leeson, Josh (16 June 2019). "Review: Better in Blak – Thelma Plum – 4 stars". The Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  2. ^ Newstead, Al (11 June 2019). "Better in Blak: Thelma Plum transforms trauma into triumph on her healing debut album". Triple J. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  3. ^ a b Bleach, Thomas (11 July 2019). "Album Review: Thelma Plum – Better in Blak". Thomas Bleach. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  4. ^ a b "ARIA Awards: 2019 Fine Arts & Artisan Winners Announced". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  5. ^ "ARIA Awards: 2019 ARIA Awards Nominated Artists Revealed". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  6. ^ Boulton, Martin (6 March 2020). "AMP winner Sampa The Great creates history". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  7. ^ "J Awards: 2019". Triple J. 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  8. ^ "National Indigenous Music Awards unveils 2019 Nominations". National Indigenous Music Awards. July 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  9. ^ "Record Breaking Crowd for the 2019 National Indigenous Music Awards!". National Indigenous Music Awards. 13 August 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  10. ^ "Past Winners 2020". Queensland Music Awards. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  11. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Thelma Plum – Better in Blak". Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  12. ^ "Australian Artist (ARIA) End of Year Albums Chart 2019". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  13. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2020". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  14. ^ "Better in Blak (CD) by Thelma Plum". JB Hi-Fi. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  15. ^ "Better in Blak (Vinyl) by Thelma Plum". JB Hi-Fi. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  16. ^ "Better in Blak by Thelma Plum on Apple Music". Apple Music. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  17. ^ "Better in Blak (Anniversary Edition) by Thelma Plum on Apple Music". Apple Music. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  18. ^ "Better in Blak (Anniversary Edition LP) by Thelma Plum on Apple Music". JB HiFI. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.

Notes

  1. ^ Plum was nominated for Best Cover Art for Emilie Pfitzner artwork design.[4]
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