During summer we featured new, dramatic music from Canada’s NICKY LAWRENCE. We learned that Ms Lawrence describes herself as “a forward thinking innovator, singer, songwriter, actor, playwright and director” . We also discovered that she wowed critics and audiences in and around Toronto for her theatrical production – ‘Ugly Black Woman’, which she describes as an expression of the lived experiences which I’ve survived…. from sweeping success to heart breaking lows”. She qualified that by adding that the performance was an exploration of what Black women go through in love and life.
The success of the production has led to the inevitable release of what used to be called the “soundtrack album” – now out via Gypsy Soul Records.
The album-heralding singles were ‘Doormat’ and ‘Middle’. The former was/is a powerful, neo-soul soliloquy about relationships; the latter was/is about a gaslighting lover . That and what we’ve said above should leave you in doubt that the ‘Ugly Black Woman’ album is a serious and powerful work. It is. The set consists of 18 tracks (9 full length songs and 9 poems/monologues) which tell Ms L’s story in intimate detail. That story, though, is the story of numerous other Black women (like Viola Desmond) throughout Canadian history. It’s not an easy listen – but it is passionate, deep and soulful.
Sonically, though, the music’s not all as didactic or dark and broody as you might think. ‘Savage’, for instance, is an 80s soul throwback – plenty of crossover potential here while the aforementioned ‘Middle’ is a tight contemporary soul beater. Then there’s ‘Get Over It’ which delivers another flavour – sedate electro dance. Lyrically the song is about the stifling realities of depression and anxiety – yes, an odd juxtaposition. And that’s one of this album’s attractions – expect the expected, of course, but also expect the unexpected!. Out now!
‘Ugly Black Woman’ – out now
