Paolo Nutini

With his throaty, yearning vocal style Paolo Nutini is not a smooth Italian pop star as his name might imply, but rather a soul-influenced adult alternative singer/songwriter from Scotland. Nutini brokethrough to widespread acclaim with his 2006 debut, These Streets, hitting number three in the U.K. and spawning the hit "New Shoes." He topped the U.K. album charts with 2009's Sunny Side Up, the same year he took home a prestigious Ivor Novello Award. With 2014's Caustic Love, he again returned to the top of the British charts. Following an extended hiatus, Nutini returned in 2022 with Last Night in the Bittersweet. Born in 1987 in Paisley, Scotland, Nutini was raised in a music-loving family where he was exposed to a range of folk, opera, jazz, and his father's R&B favorites. Shortly after discovering homegrown folkies like John Martyn, the teenaged Nutini left school to focus on his own musical development, eventually moving from Paisley to London at age 16 and garnering attention via local gigs. He inked a deal with the British arm of Atlantic Records two years later, just several weeks after his 18th birthday. Working with Coldplay and Badly Drawn Boy producer Ken Nelson, Nutini generated an impressive amount of buzz before his first single, "Last Request," was released in the early summer of 2006. He appeared at special Atlantic Records showcases at Carnegie Hall and the Montreux Jazz Festival, as well as opening for the Rolling Stones and Paul Weller. Nutini's debut album, These Streets, was ultimately released in July 2006 alongside his second single, "Jenny Don't Be Hasty." The album fared quite well in the U.K., where it climbed to double-platinum status and sent four singles into the Top 40. Accordingly, an American release followed in January 2007. For Nutini's second album, the songwriter took a more active role in the production, partnering with Ethan Johns but helming much of the material himself. The resulting record, Sunny Side Up, appeared in June 2009, featuring increased contributions from Nutini's backing band and a bright, sprightly disposition. Sunny Side Up was a number one hit in the U.K. -- one of the biggest-selling albums of the year -- and went on to claim Best Album at the Ivor Novello Awards. Nutini entered the studio in 2011 to begin sessions for his third album, and an appearance on Johnny Boy Would Love This...A Tribute to John Martyn was followed in 2011 by performances at Glastonbury, Latitude, and the Montreux Jazz Festival, before Nutini reached his (arguably) largest ever audience as part of London's 2012 Olympics Games concert at Hyde Park. Following his heavy tour scheduling and a breakup with his childhood sweetheart, Nutini took time away from music to rediscover the inspiration that was the driving force behind his first two records, and returned to his hometown Paisley. Eventually, the songs began flowing and Nutini recorded his third record, Caustic Love, which featured American vocalist Janelle Monáe. Released in April of 2014, Caustic Love topped the U.K. albums chart and reached number 31 on the Billboard 200. Following another extensive touring schedule, Nutini quietly went on hiatus, making only a handful of live appearances, including two sold-out shows as part of Edinburgh's Hogmanay New Year's Eve Party in 2016. After an eight year gap, he returned in July 2022 with his fourth album, Last Night in the Bittersweet. Produced by Nutini, along with Gavin Fitzjohn and Dani Castelar, the abum found him bringing together his soulful, singer/songwriter pop with post-punk and Krautrock influences. ~ Matt Collar & Stewart Mason