Macy Gray has been a prominent figure in the music industry since her debut album in 1999, which earned her a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 2001. Since then, she has released numerous critically acclaimed albums and collaborated with various artists in the industry. Her latest release, “The Reset,” is a 13-track album that continues to showcase her unique voice and impressive songwriting abilities.
“It [feels] very great. You can always put music out, but I think this album is particularly remarkable. It gets better every day [Laughs].” — Macy Gray
Gray’s creative process for ‘The Reset’ was similar to her previous material, as she co-created the music behind her singing. However, this time she and her band jammed together until she thought of something she could write to, which resulted in a more organic and natural sound.
The album was written during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time that affected people all over the world. Gray explains in our CelebMix interview that the shutdown provided a lot of inspiration for the album, as everyone was going through something and had opinions about the situation. The title of the album, “The Reset,” refers to the idea that everyone had to reset their lives during the pandemic, and this album captures that moment in time.
The album starts off with the daunting building of “PTSD (Intro),” which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the album. Gray’s soulful voice blends perfectly with the minimal bassline and guitar riffs. “America” is a heartfelt ballad that showcases Gray’s emotional range and vulnerability. The track features beautiful piano melodies and heartfelt lyrics that tug at the heartstrings.
“I watched movies and learned how to cook. I didn’t take it [COVID lockdown] as a time to reflect.” — Macy Gray
One of the standout tracks on the album is “The Disco Song,” a fun and playful track that features a catchy chorus and a funky bassline. Gray’s confident vocals and witty lyrics make this track an instant earworm. “Alien” is another highlight of the album, featuring a powerful and soulful vocal performance by Gray. The track is filled with raw emotion and honest lyrics that will resonate with many listeners.
Gray’s ability to connect with listeners through her music is apparent in the album’s final track, “Bottom to the Top“. The track features an urban, uplifting vibe and an uplifting message. Gray’s powerful voice and emotive delivery make this track a perfect conclusion to the album.
Gray’s approach to making this album was slightly different from her previous work. Instead of coming up with ideas and then creating the music behind them, she and her band would jam together until they found something that inspired her. This approach has resulted in a cohesive and polished album that showcases Gray’s unique talents as a songwriter and vocalist.
The album definitely says what I wanted to say at the start of the creative process. The album’s title is ‘The Reset’ because of how we all had to reset our lives.” — Macy Gray
“The Reset” is a fantastic addition to Macy Gray’s impressive discography. The album is a testament to her ability to create meaningful and heartfelt music that resonates with listeners. Gray’s message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity is a welcome reminder during these challenging times. As Gray, herself tells CelebMix, “You need to listen to the entire album from start to finish – the whole album is worth listening to. Each song on the album has a purpose, both story and chronologically.”