More details have been released about ‘Dance In The Rain’, the recently-announced new album from Ricki-Lee.
With its lead single ‘Giddy Up’ now impacting radio stations across the country, the attention now turns to her ‘dancing’ journey, both on TV… and at retail from October 17. And she reveals in an extended statement about the new album that it’s been a complete labour of love.
“I finished the ‘Fear & Freedom’ album in 2011, did a tour of Australia, went to Japan and released the album out there, literally got back to Australia and packed my bags and went over to LA and NY to start work again on this new record,” she says.
“Through the 18 months of writing and producing the album, I figured I had a lot to say and there were so many things I wanted to express – and I managed to pull it all together for this one album.
“Pop music has so many different faces, and as people we are all so complex, so it’s very natural for me to change moods and styles to fit with how I’m feeling on any given day. My music certainly reflects all of the different facets of my personality and tastes in music. One day you’re pissed off, the next day you’re on top of the world, the day after that you may be vulnerable and insecure, but the next you feel invincible. Life throws so much at you and I write about it all.”
Beyond writing for the album (Ricki-Lee has co-penned everything on it), she’s also stepped into the co-producer role this time around and has had a guiding hand on each of the songs.
“I’m just the kind of person who is very hands-on,” she admits. “If someone is buying one of my albums I assume they wanna hear me in it – and this album couldn’t be any more ‘me’.
“In making this album, no stone was left unturned and every sound, every vocal, every edit and effect has been carefully crafted and balanced over time to get these songs to the point where they are now. These songs are my heart and soul, and I’ve got the greatest team of people that help me bring them all to life…
“Some of these songs we produced 20 different versions of! It was a lengthy process but the end result, I couldn’t be more proud of.”
We’re told that the bulk of ‘Dance In The Rain’ was co-produced by Stuart Crichton, who’s also had a hand in the writing process. David Shuler’s name is mentioned (P!nk), along with Arnthor Birgisson, Brian Lee and the duo behind Rihanna’s discovery, Sturken & Rogers.
“I still pinch myself about working with them, I’ve wanted to work with them for over 10 years! To have them give me their seal of approval and tell me I was a great songwriter, almost made me cry. To get that kind of validation from people of that calibre, telling me that I was great at what I do was such a confidence boost, and overwhelming in a lot of ways.”
And we’re promised a musically diverse set, with everything from pop to dance to ballad to club tunes to R&B and reggae featuring.
Lead single ‘GiddyUp’ is a little more tongue-in-cheek, with the songstress not afraid to show her more assertive side.
“On the surface it’s pure pop – some might even say novelty – but if you dig below the surface you discover this fierce, strong attitude of a woman who is in charge; a woman who is the boss, and a woman who doesn’t let anyone push her around… and that’s who I am. I like the idea there are two truths in that song – the surface truth, and the deeper truth.”
‘GiddyUp’ will be released digitally on Friday; the album follows on October 17.
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