Lady Wray – Cover Girl

Lady Wray – Cover Girl 

Produced by Grammy-winning producer Leon Michels (Norah Jones, Clairo) and with musical contributions from Homer Steinweiss, Nick Movshon, Marco Benevento and Brainstory.

Lady Wray returns with "Cover Girl", her third album on Big Crown Records. The album opener "My Best Step" says it all: "My next step is my best step", and indeed she takes her artistry to a new level and makes the best music of her life. The celebratory "Cover Girl" takes the listener on an exuberant joyride influenced by soul and disco of the 60s and 70s, hip-hop and R&B of the 90s and perhaps the most important element, gospel. Following the release of "Piece of Me" in 2022, Nicole Monique Wray a.k.a. Lady Wray appeared on the Late Show With Stephen Colbert and NPR's Tiny Desk and toured the world.

"Cover Girl" is effortlessly and undeniably the culmination of her longtime collaboration with producer Leon Michels (Norah Jones / Clairo / El Michels Affair) to date, spanning over a decade. "I turned more towards love and self-care with this album. 'Piece of Me' was the realization that I was going to be a mother, and all those feelings were on my heart," says Lady Wray. "Now I can sit back and be a real boss. I've taken control of my career, motherhood and my marriage. I've become a more confident and beautiful advertiser for Cover Girl."

The singer-songwriter with the almighty voice, evocative lyrics and magnetic personality talks about her appreciation for her family, her faith and her renewed love for herself - all of which drive her new album. The lead single "You're Gonna Win" is a danceable feel-good banger. Nicole lets herself go while naming and claiming her power: "I do not care who came before me, after me there will be none". The Fabulous Rainbow Singers chorus joins in on the refrain, bringing the whole affair into the church and placing it alongside the best gospel disco records ever pressed. "Be a Witness" is a funky mid-tempo powerhouse that would make Prince proud. Nicole finds the perfect groove over punchy drum machines and infectious synthesizers, singing about a love that's destined to happen and spreading the good vibes to anyone within earshot.

The title track of "Cover Girl" is one of the album's most vulnerable moments. Lady Wray delivers a stunning performance in the simple track where she describes her journey to self-discovery, "I lost myself trying to please someone else / I want to be me again." The title is derived from a childhood nickname she acquired because of her always neat style. Lady Wray explains: "When I grew up and got into the music business, I lost that happy part of me. I see that happiness in my daughter, who is simply beautiful, talented and smart. With 'Cover Girl' I'm going back to that little girl. It's about loving yourself again." Similarly, in "Where Could I Be," she reclaims the happiness and sense of identity she had lost through life's struggles. In "Best For Us" and "Hard Times," Nicole rhapsodizes about her love and respect for her marriage, both acknowledging imperfection and pointing to the strength and resilience of true love. In "Higher," she sings to her daughter and teaches her how to love and be loved, encouraging her to persevere and persevere.

Lady Wray was born to sing and share her soul and life with us through her music. With her credible messages and incomparable voice, she has built a loyal fan base worldwide. Whether she is singing about her struggles or her strengths, it is comforting to hear her let us know that we are not alone in this. Nicole Wray is inspiring and uplifting. She has been through a lot and through it all she has become a better person and a better artist.

"You have to rule your own world. Don't let anyone get in your way. You rock with your dreams until the wheels fall off," says Lady Wray. "That's what I've been doing with my career since 1998. I know who I am and what I bring to the table. It's been one hell of a journey, and I'm so happy to be making the best music of my life."

Tracklist:
1. My Best Step
2. Be a Witness
3. Where Could I Be
4. Hard Times
5. Best for Us
6. Cover Girl
7. You're Gonna Win
8. Time
9. What It Means
10. Higher
11. Calm

Label: Big Crown
Released: 2025