NIKKI, a product of "Star in a Million" search in 2005 and a talent of Viva Artist Agency (VAA), is making a serious bid to establish herself as a more mature performer with the release of her sophomore album "Not That Kind of Girl" under Viva Records.

The title is an allusion to Nikki’s new sound and image. She’s no longer the sweet and innocent 16-year-old who sang syrupy ballads. So expect a lot of surprises in this album. "Maraming nagbago," says Nikki. "Ang look, hindi na pa-sweet. Yung sound ko ngayon, mas edgy at mas mature. Dati, ang mga kinakanta ko, karamihan, ballads. Dito sa album na ito, dalawa lang ang ballads; the rest, puro danceable na."

The album has a total of 12 tracks— nine English songs, and three which were translated into Tagalog by Chuckie Dreyfus. It starts off with the title track, originally a Spanish song, titled "Yo No Soy Esa Mujer." The other cuts include "Malapit Na (Never Go Insane)"; Step It Up"; "Wild Girl"; "Nalilito Ginugulo (You’re My Mystery)"; "Away From It All (Mas Fuerte Que Tu)"; "A Little Nervous"; "Bola (Coming to an End)"; "Dreaming My Own Dream"; "Somebody (A Veces)"; "Anything and Everything"; and "Rock Me Tonight (Dime Que Quieres)."

All the tracks were produced by Christian de Walden, who was also responsible for Sarah Geronimo’s album, "Becoming."

But that’s not mean Nikki will come out sounding like Sarah in the album. Not at all musically; the new Nikki is closer to Lindsay Lohan. It’s pop music with a rock edge and a more mature sensibility. "I’m already 18. Hindi na bagay ‘yung pa-sweet na image at sound," says Nikki.

Nikki is aware that her re-emergence on the scene will bring about comparisons with other young singers, particularly those who are into the same type of music. But she hopes that the audience that first heard her sing in 2005 will embrace her again and not compare her to other singers. "I just wanna do my thing," she says. "Sana huwag na kami i-compare, because we’re different people."

Last year, Nikki was bitten by the acting bug: She had a featured role in "Pangarap na Bituin," where she played the third party in a love triangle with Maja Salvador and Jay-R Siaboc. She also appeared in the movie "Ang Cute ng Ina Mo" with Anne Curtis and AiAi delas Alas. At present, Nikki hosts a local show on ABS-CBN Davao, "Kapamilya, Winner Ka."

But now, says Nikki, she’s back to do what she really loves, which is singing. "Maybe through this album, I can introduce myself to people again. I hope they haven’t forgotten me."

Nikki’s "Not That Kind of Girl" album is distributed by Viva Records.