(April 11, 2021) Back in the early days of SoulTracks, we were wowed by a young singer with a great voice and quite a story. Alex Nester won us over quickly with her strong, soulful interpretations, and her compelling history as a girl who used music, her faith and her family as weapons against the cancer that struck her at just age 16. She won lots of fans around the world, as well as the viewers of American Idol, who saw her strong performances on the show in 2010.
It’s been a decade since we heard new music from Alex, but she returns on April 30th with Someone Better, her third and most anticipated long player. And, as with her other music, the disc combines elements of soul, pop and funk into a sound that is both personal and organic.
(April 11, 2021) Back in the early days of SoulTracks, we were wowed by a young singer with a great voice and quite a story. Alex Nester won us over quickly with her strong, soulful interpretations, and her compelling history as a girl who used music, her faith and her family as weapons against the cancer that struck her at just age 16. She won lots of fans around the world, as well as the viewers of American Idol, who saw her strong performances on the show in 2010.
It’s been a decade since we heard new music from Alex, but she returns on April 30th with Someone Better, her third and most anticipated long player. And, as with her other music, the disc combines elements of soul, pop and funk into a sound that is both personal and organic.
As we wait for the new album, Alex has given us a sneak peek with the single “Slingshot.” The tasty midtempo has a classic pop/soul vibe to it and the kind of robust production that does Alex’s powerful voice justice.
She tells us about the song, “’Slingshot’ focuses on the cyclical nature of love. You see it in people who pay it forward—one small act of kindness inspiring others to do the same. The love you put out into the world will always come back in some form. I say this full well knowing that sometimes it feels like we’re all fighting a losing battle. There’s so much hate and evil in the world…can we, as individuals, even make a dent? I say, yes. A million times, yes. Because love is indestructible. Love is infinite. Love is unstoppable. Love makes you feel like anything is possible, and that’s what I wanted to convey. I want the listener to come away from this song feeling inspired and empowered.’
Alex’s goofily fun video for the song provides a smile, even as the song has us nodding our heads in approval. Check out “Slingshot” below, and welcome Alex Nester back to SoulTracks.
By Chris Rizik