Prior to the release of Sempre lontano, Zilli released her extended playNina Zilli, which peaked at number 54 at the Italian Albums Chart.[1] It contained seven tracks, included singles "50mila", "L'inferno" and "L'amore verrà", that would later appear on Sempre lontano.[2]Sempre lontano was released on 19 February 2010.[3] The special edition of the album was released on 30 November.[4]Sempre lontano was certified platinum in Italy, for domestic sales exceeding 60,000 units.[5]
Promotion and reception
Singles
"L'uomo che amava le donne" was released on 12 February 2010, and it was Zilli's entry for the 60th Sanremo Music Festival.[6] The song was performed for the first time on 18 February 2010 and it was admitted to the final,[7] but did not win.[8] During the competition, "L'uomo che amava le donne" earned the Mia Martini Critics' Choice Award[9] and the Press, Radio and Television Award.[10] It was later certified gold by the FIMI.[11] "Bacio d'a(d)dio" was released on 5 November 2009 on Sempre lontano Special Edition. Zilli's outfit in the music video was designed by Vivienne Westwood.[12]
Jason Birchmeier of the Allmusic.com reviewed the album positively, describing Zilli as a "feel–good soul-pop singer with a retro style that harks back to the '60s" and comparing her to Amy Winehouse.[13]
Chart performance
Sempre lontano spent sixty weeks in the Italian Albums Chart. In its first week, it entered the chart at number 34.[15] The album reached its highest position, number five, on 22 March 2010.[16]Sempre lontano dropped out from the chart in its forty-first week, but it returned a week later at number 59. It would eventually drop out after being charted at number 100 in the sixtieth week.[better source needed]
