Runga was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1976. She was playing the drums by age 11, singing with local jazz groups shortly afterward, and released her first single at age 19, which promptly shot to the New Zealand top 10 pop charts, and won her the 1996 Silver Scroll songwriting award. She released the self-produced Drive at age 21, and it opened at the very top of the New Zealand charts, in addition to selling more than 5 million copies.

In New Zealand, naturally, Beautiful Collision has been hugely anticipated, and it may be safe to say that it has lived up to expectation.

Highlights include "Get Some Sleep," "Something Good" and the title track, "Beautiful Collision." "Get Some Sleep" is a clever, clear-voiced anthem for the life on the road; "Something Good" showcases Runga's gift for intensely personal though simple lyrics — "Just wanna know ya/ just wanna talk to ya/ I wanna hear about your day." "Beautiful Collision" is a wonderfully evocative and brilliant effort — "a blinding romance/ to blow you away." Also enchanting is the first track, "When I See You Smile," a Jewel-esque duet between her vocals and a quiet, classically plucked guitar accompaniment.

In all, the album is quiet and reflective, with a sound somewhat similar both to Jewel and Dido, while begging comparison with songwriting heavyweight Sarah McLachlan. Her voice, though higher in range, has a resonance and style similar to Natalie Merchant. With the combination of Runga's skillful writing and understated production, Beautiful Collision is an album that rings with subdued artistry.