Cover Girl

BIG CROWNを代表するソウル・シンガーLADY WRAYがNEWアルバム『Cover Girl』をリリース!!

2022年リリースの傑作『Piece of Me』以来、約3年ぶりとなる本作は、BIG CROWNが培ってきた60s～70sソウルのエッセンスに加え、前作に引き続き90年代のヒップホップやR&B、ゴスペルの要素が合わさり、世界的評価が高まっているプロデューサー、Leon Michelsとの10年以上にわたるタッグによって確立してきた自身のスタイルと、さらなる新境地を提示した唯一無二の傑作!

先行シングル『BE A WITNESS / BEST FOR US』でも感じられたヴィンテージ感と現行R&Bのミックス・サウンドを下地に、母親になったことを始め自身の人生を題材にした心を揺さぶる歌詞を、持ち前の素晴らしい歌声で表現した新たな代表作と呼べる1枚となっています。

As with Nicole Wrays first two Lady Wray albums and the earlier LP the smokey-sweet vocalist and forthright songwriter cut as one-half of Lady, Cover Girl was produced by Leon Michels, whose post-2022 work included El Michels Affairs Glorious Game and 24 Hr Sports (both of which involved Wray), Norah Jones Visions, and Clairos Charm. Compared to Wrays Queen Alone and Piece of Me, theres a greater sense of uplift. Its brought about by the lyrics as much as the stronger flavorings of disco, funk, and gospel. Wray opens "Hard Times" with "I know Im loved/Let God sing to you" before celebrating a persevering love made all the more special by a daughter whos "gonna bring all the blessings and the joy." Whats more, Wray and Michels refer to "You Brought the Sunshine," the Clark Sisters 1983 gospel-disco classic with a loping neo-reggae rhythm inspired by Stevie Wonders "Master Blaster (Jammin)." On the twisting and beaming midtempo funk of "Be a Witness," Wrays falsetto is supplemented by a reassuring call-and-repeat group hook liable to scratch a previously unknown itch. Most exultant of all is "Youre Gonna Win," what with its group chorus testifying "Goodness, goodness -- you just won the lottery," tough and rubbery funk bassline, zestful combination of piano, electric keys, and synthesizer, and joyous brass lighting the way. "Cover Girl" itself, just vocals and piano, is a heartening ballad, an antidote to isolation and negative self-image. Irrepressible spirit fills even the few moments that arent all sunshine, all the way through the reflection that occurs before the foot-stomping, hand-clapping action on the closing "Calm." Although Wrays voice generally sounds less naturally presented here than on her preceding collaborations with Michels -- at times, it resembles a transmission -- its never lost in the mix, likely as ever to cause frisson. ~ Andy Kellman

エル・マイケルズ・アフェアの新作『24 Hr Sports』も話題のなか、そこにも参加しているビッグ・クラウンの看板シンガーが、間髪入れずに3年ぶりのアルバムをリリース。このレーベルならではのヴィンテージ・ソウルやゴスペルの雰囲気に加えて、本人が実際に最前線にいた90年代R&B/ヒップホップの影響をモダンに表現。これまでの成果を意欲的に束ねた快作だ。
bounce (C)狛犬