Previously best known as New Buffalo, Sally is the award-winning Australian songwriter behind ‘intoxicating' albums such as The Last Beautiful Day and Somewhere, anywhere.

With her new full-length record, she sheds her former identity to offer her first album as Sally Seltmann.

"I felt like it was time for me to stop hiding behind a stage name, and just be myself. A lot of the songs on the new album make reference to me feeling more comfortable in my own skin, so I felt now was the right time to release and perform under my real name."

Heart That's Pounding also pulses with other changes. After the stripped-back elegance of Somewhere, Anywhere, Sally returns with an album that resounds with confidence, megawatt melodies and energising joy.

The album's bright-eyed feel is inspired by life changes. "I had a baby in late 2008 [with husband Darren Seltmann, from The Avalanches], and this was a dream come true for me. I think that's the reason why the album is so uplifting. I also had success as a songwriter with Feist's 1234 and that has made me believe in myself more as a songwriter," says Sally.

There's also a love of timeless pop that is captured in Heart That's Pounding. While creating the album, Sally was listening to songs like Eternal Flame, and Manic Monday. "I wanted to create songs with a classic radio sing-a-long feel," she says. Sally also draws inspiration from the David Lynch classic Twin Peaks, and from the soulful live performances of Nina Simone. ‘I wanted to marry the classic pop song with a darker, more complicated feel". Tracks like Dream About Changing and Harmony To My Heartbeat, have a bounding life-force, whereas On The Borderline and Heart That's Pounding have complex shades of darkness, hiding behind what first appears to be ordinary and everyday.

While Heart That's Pounding sees Sally boldly spotlighting her voice like never before – her soft vocals doubled to create hypnotic layers on several songs – this album also has her sharing the studio with friends and guests: Cameron Bird and Gus Franklin (Architecture In Helsinki), Jens Lekman, Darren Seltmann (The Avalanches) and Ned Collette play choir in Dark Blue Angel ; The Middle East & Dragging Pianos lend their voices to 5 Stars; Lara Meyerratken (El May) adds back-up vocals to On The Borderline; Mark Monnone (The Lucksmiths) plays bass on many tracks and offers some unconventional percussion on Dream About Changing. Jessica Venables (Jessica Says), who also performs live with Sally, contributes back-up vocals and strings.

While now based in Sydney, Sally recorded the album in Melbourne at Sing Sing, Adelphia and at co-producer Francois Tetaz's recording space, as well as her home studio – a basement apartment that she re-imagined as a teen girl's bedroom for pop inspiration.

Heart That's Pounding is an emotional and colourful journey, and is Sally's most accomplished work to date.