Laying her cards on the table, Alexandra Kay’s latest release, and her sophomore studio album, Second Wind, delves into heartache, finding yourself and being true to your roots in a phenomenal new record that arguably moulds a new era for her brand.
This album covers so many topics, you truly feel like you’re attending the most calming therapy session from track 1 to track 14. Alexandra doesn’t shy away from delicate topics. Each track delves further and further into a story. Better Off kicks off the record – it’s warm, it’s inviting and sets the scene – this is an album which is going to hit you in the feels. Nobody is more mid-tempo but catch, discussing reclaiming your identity and nodding to the Album title, Second Wind, finding strength and moving on. Straight for The Heart, Right Now and Tomorrow Problems follow a similar tone before moving on to one of my favourite tracks on the album, Big Boy Boots.
Earlier this year, we saw Alexandra Kay tour with British singer Chanel Yates, and I truly thought Big Boy Boots was going to be a follow-up to Yates’ track Big Girl Boots – but this track by Kay was something a bit different than what we’re used to – it’s tongue-in-cheek and incredibly catchy. There seems to be a real turning point in the album, from following a story of heartbreak and accepting things may need to change, to this track and Hell Right reclaiming your confidence and channelling that feminine power. We’re halfway through the tracklist and I’m absolutely hooked.
Measure Of A Man and Old Me are two fantastic tracks on the record, staying true to the Alexandra style country-pop, but with some beautiful lyric writing and defining strength.
Now Cupid’s A Cowgirl is a track many Kay fans will be familiar with, as Alexandra released this before the album dropped, and as I listen back, I know I want to learn a line dance to it! It’s pop, it’s catchy, it makes you want to don your pinkest outfits and hit the hoedown.
Closing out the album, The Last and What He Does take on a slower tempo before ramping it up for what I can only describe as a peak noughties American popstar sound for Feminine Energy, which I think has become my new favourite anthem – If the Cheetah Girls ever release a 4th album, this song needs to feature front and centre.
The fourteenth track on the album, the title track, Second Wind, is a beautiful round-up of this new era of Alexandra Kay. A new sound, whilst staying grounded and rooted to the sound we all know and love. The way Alexandra has discussed her personal stories within 14 tracks is nothing short of impressive, and this album scores a solid 5/5 from me.
Review by Lauren Page
