COLBIE Caillat has fallen for someone. But then again, everyone who’s heard her latest single Falling For You could’ve seen that coming.

What they couldn’t have guessed is what’s been happening for the Malibu, California-based singer-songwriter, and former MySpace sensation, in the relationship department over the last year leading to the release of her latest album Breakthrough.

After gaining a huge fan base with her music on social networking site MySpace, which put her as their number one unsigned artiste, Colbie released her debut album Coco in July 2007.

The album had a refreshing, breezy, acoustic pop sound, something you’d pop into the CD player if you just needed to chill; and had guaranteed hits in songs like Bubbly thanks to the millions of “listens” (over 40 million, to be exact) the song already had online before it was even released on the album.

That was when R.AGE first spoke to her, about a year ago, when she was doing a promo tour for Coco. It was also when we started to see Colbie’s own love story unfold, and how much it seemed to mirror her music. Speaking to her last week over the phone, a year later and an album for the better, we found that though things have changed much in the relationship department, her life, music and sunny personality are still very much the same.

Realize
Back during our first meeting with her, Colbie revealed that her hit single Realize, a beautiful acoustic ballad, was actually inspired by a close friend, a guy who was in love with her and was pleading with her to “realise” they were meant for each other.

Unfortunately for the poor, love-struck guy, Colbie told us then that she just couldn’t see herself starting something with him, cause she didn’t want to risk their friendship.

But while talking with her last week, we found out that Colbie actually did finally realise.

“He (the guy who inspired Realize) was my first love. I did fall in love with him,” said Colbie in the same laid-back, lucious voice she had a year ago.

Colbie Callait

Back then, Colbie told us that though she was a real romantic, she had never been heart-broken before. This would actually be one of her first “serious” relationships. Unfortunately, again, for the poor guy, things didn’t work out.

“Because of my touring schedule, it’s hard to stay connected. We couldn’t find time for each other. A lot of it was also our personalities. But we still had a wonderful time,” she added.

Falling For You
It didn’t take long for the 24-year-old to bounce back on the love track though.

“I am in love at the moment,” she said. “It’s something new. You are among the first 20 people in the world to know. But I can’t tell you who, because he’s not someone you’d (the general public) know.

What she could tell us, was how amazing her new man is. In fact, she couldn’t stop gushing.

“He’s a wonderful man. He’s six years older than me, and he’s a beautiful singer and guitar player. He’s a lot taller than me too, so that’s good!

“He’s environmentally cautious too. He drives a Toyota Prius (a hybrid car), and he’s really smart,” she said.

According to Colbie however, we could be hearing about more than just his name pretty soon.

“The new songs I’m writing will be about him. It happened just recently, so the songs on Breakthrough aren’t about him,” she added. In fact, Colbie says all the breakup songs on the album are about “Mr Realize”. It seems like the guy just can’t get a lucky break.

Breakthrough
Speaking about songs on her album, when Colbie first released Coco, her fans on MySpace helped her decide which tracks to include in the final list.

But being signed to a record label now, Colbie had to find a different way of getting her fans involved in the album.

“I’m not allowed to put my songs on MySpace before they are released now. So to get my fans’ input this time, we gave 20 competition winners a chance to listen to some songs, and they all voted and gave their opinions on them,” she revealed.

Apart from the songs about falling in and out of love with the Realize guy, Colbie says the album Breakthrough is about her coming to terms with the pressures of no longer being just a “MySpace artiste”.

“There is some pressure, but I’ve tried not to think about it. That’s why I’m calling the album Breakthrough. I want to break through my fear of the stage, my fear of touring. I still feel nervous on stage,” she said, something she told us last year as well.

There was one stage however, that left her with some fond memories – the one she performed on during her showcase at a mall in Mutiara Damansara, Selangor, last year. “I can’t wait to go back to Malaysia! It was one of my most memorable concerts. The fans were some of the best, and I’d really wanna thank them for that experience.

“It was raining before and during the concerts, but the fans were still there. We (Colbie and her band) still have the pictures and videos, and we talk about it all the time,” she said.