Lady Wray has had quite the comeback story over the past near decade that has allowed the artist formerly known as Nicole and then by her actual government name, Nicole Wray. To find her footing and own actual sound she herself wanted to be heard and seen as an artist with on her breakout third solo album, Piece of Me, she released to widespread critical acclaim in 2022. Announcing her highly-anticipated fourth album, Cover Girl, and its Sept. 26th release last month alongside the release of lead single, You’re Gonna Win. Lady Wray returned yesterday with another taste of her upcoming new album in new single, Hard Times.
Produced by longtime collaborator, Leon Michels, whom she has worked with for a decade. The title of the record will likely throw you off, as it is a soulfully joyful and triumphant song that is a real feel-good anthem. That collides contemporary R&B and classic soul with cheeky flashes of disco flair that shows the many influences Lady Wray had growing up to many different genres of music as a child in both the 80’s and early 90’s. Whether it be 90’s Hip-Hop and R&B to 60’s and 70’s inspired soul and disco. As well as touches of gospel from her time growing up as a little girl in her hometown church choir. That soulfully raw soul and gospel power in her very soulfully powerful and beautiful joyful vocals you can really hear on this very soulfully joyful and triumphant feel-good new single. That really shows the truly revived blissful and joyful stage of her career this music has brought to not only Lady Wray, but many of her longtime fans and supporters too.
