Album Review: Nicole Rayy, Now & Then

In a 2021 we interviewed Nicole Rayy, who told this writer that it was vital she was always making "the best music that I can and connecting with my fans." Since that time Rayy has released strong country singles in "Graveyard" and "Last Ones Up." Now Rayy is forging ahead with a seven-track album which compiles some of these songs and other radio-friendly nuggets.

The collection kicks off with the mid-tempo "Broken Boys" that straddles the line between contemporary pop and country perfectly. Meanwhile "Sad Song" lives up to its somber, sullen tone with Rayy's voice dazzling in the rather polished mix. It's a nice one-two combination but Rayy has more to give. This is particularly true during the pedestrian, blues-hued "Graveyard" that shuffles along quite well.

The highlight easily is the enticing "Feels Like Yesterday" with its chorus instantly bringing to mind Third Eye Blind's "Semi-Charmed Life." A close second has to be "Last Ones Up" which mines a similar musical ground but with a little less oomph.

If there's one drawback it might be the brevity of the record. But given how well-crafted the closing title track is, Rayy is a force to reckoned with now and in the future.

Now & Then was released February 17, 2023.
Listen to it here.