Sitti Navarro is determined to make 2011 sort of a comeback year.

The previous year was a quiet one for the 26-year-old singer, who gained fame in 2006 and was highly credited for elevating the bossa nova genre to the mainstream based on the strength of her debut album Café Bossa and the hit single, "Para Sa Akin."

Sitti released three more albums after that: My Bossa Nova (2007), Ngayong Pasko (2008), and Contagious (2009)—all under Warner Music Philippines.

Bossa nova originated in Brazil in 1957. Music critics dubbed the genre as a close relative of the more popular samba. Bossa nova is commonly performed with a nylon-string classical guitar and a piano serving as a stylistic bridge to add more flavor to the beat and vocals.

The genre's evolution—along with its liberal improvisation during live performances—made it closely associated with jazz, and thus the notion that bossa nova is limited only to listeners with advanced musical taste.

Sitti's arrival on the local music scene made bossa nova accessible and palatable to the younger Filipino audience.

SHIFTING TEMPO. The time off from recording, however, allowed Sitti to evaluate her musical direction and the kind of album she wanted to make regardless of what the label bosses might say.

Sitti personally wanted to veer away from her signature style and venture more into pop territory—a decision which has more to do with the desire to offer something new to listeners.

"Hindi siya [bossa nova] nakakasawa. Gusto ko lang talaga ng bago, 'tsaka I want to do this right. Siguro it goes with a certain level of maturity not only in the business but myself."

Doing predominantly cover tunes on record, however, is not part of the equation.

"Gusto ko talaga all originals kasi hindi rin ako masaya na na-brand ako as a cover artist—honestly hindi ako masaya dun. So, I wanna contribute more to OPM by releasing more original songs."

A compromise was reached by both parties for Sitti's upcoming album, with the singer still having the last say on its concept.

"Fifty percent original songs and fifty percent covers," Sitti said about the agreement.

She continued: "Pumayag ako, sige covers, pero kailangan OPM 'yong mga cover songs."

The changes will be more on the arrangement of the songs and not much on the singing style.