Artist: Mandy Williams
Title: Electrified
Recorded: 2015-2020
Formats: CD, LP, Digital Download, Streaming, Cassette
Genre: Pop
Producers: Mandy Williams (exec.), Axident, Ricky Reed, J.R Rotem, mister_b , Ilya Salmanzadeh,
Johan Carlsson, Sir Nolan, Greg Kurstin, Ludwig Göransson, Chris Loco, The Monsters & Strangerz, Jack Antonoff,
DNA, Thomas, Danny Hurle
Label: FREEDOM

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Electrified is the long awaited studio album release by singer/songwriter Mandy Williams set to be released in December of 2020 through FREEDOM, a record label Mandy Williams has been signed to for the majority of her career. "Electrified" follows Mandy's previous album "The Teenage Years", released on 2014. Leading up to the official release of the the record, Electrified has experienced numerous changes and pushbacks, due to personal circumstances taking place in the young stars life during the middle portion of the recording sessions of Electrified. The record was initially going to be released in 2016, but after Mandy Williams experienced some personal issues, the album had been pushed back indefinitely. During this time, many of the albums original tracks had been left on a stand still until Mandy got back into the studio in 2019, three years later, to record new songs for the album and scrap previous songs slated to be on the album, as they "didn't reflect" Mandy's current "outlook on life".

Background

Williams officially wrapped up the new recording sessions of "Electrified" in late November of 2020 and returned officially to music with the release of "Truce", released on December 14th. On December 21st, the album was officially made available for pre order. The 13 track record that spans more than one hour is the first album where Mandy Williams serves as the executive producer, and is enlisted as a writer on 11 of the 13 tracks, the most she has written in the entirety of her music career. Electrified draws inspiration from genre's such as Pop, Alternative Pop, Acoustic Pop and electronic music and is said to be sonically "bigger" than Mandy's previous work,, as the pop star took the past few years to "hone her craft". All in all, Electrified will offer different shades of Mandy Williams as a singer, songwriter and individual as she comes back to triumphant return to music. Electrified features production from Axident, Ricky Reed, J.R Rotem, mister_b , Ilya Salmanzadeh, Johan Carlsson, Sir Nolan, Greg Kurstin, Ludwig Göransson, Chris Loco, The Monsters & Strangerz, Jack Antonoff, DNA, Thomas with collaborations with Nick Urie and mister_b who all worked with Mandy Williams to make sure the record was everything that she wanted it to be. So far, Electrified has had 3 official single releases with promotional records being released to hold fans over during the songstresses absence.

The recording of Electrified began officially in early 2015, where the album was slated to be released in 2016, just two years after Mandy's previous album "The Teenage Years", which went on to top the album's charts. After entering the studio with Ricky Reed and Axident, Mandy knew it was time for her to "grow up her sound" and really reflect her new found confidence as an adult woman. The first record to be officially released from the album was “Electrified”. The floor stomping anthem was a far cry from William's bubble gum-pop sound that she was known for previously and the controversial record saw Mandy sing suggestively and sport a new blonde look. The single skyrocketed to the top of the singles charts, earning William's her third number one single on the singles charts. Following the release of "Electrified", recording sessions for the album was in full effect and Mandy was looking to capitalize off of the success from the album's first released track.

Shortly after, Mandy Williams announced "Something About Us" as the next single from Electrified. The record, which was another suggestive record, spoke about intimacy and was another song that saw Mandy Williams pull further away from her usual image. Something About Us was another successful record, and Mandy's most successful single to date. After skyrocketing to number one on the singles chart, the record was nominated four times at the Fan Choice Awards, including in the category "Best Single". After the success of "Something About Us", Electrified experienced it's first push back, as William's needed more time to record more songs for the album. In the meantime, William's released promotional records as she continued to record and gear up for the release of the album at the time. The promotional cut, "I Want It All" was released as a promotional record and was said to be the final song release before the album. The record was critically acclaimed and was more reminiscent of "early" Mandy. Sadly, I Want It All was the final promotional release before a long string of pushbacks of Electrified due to unforeseen circumstances, one of which included a heavily publicized break up with Deneil Khan, and the pop star being found unresponsive and rushed to the hospital.

After these events, Electrified was pushed back indefinitely and Mandy Williams disappeared from all social media and did not take part in any interviews. During this time, a promotional record entitled "Lover (I Say) was released, and the record was met with positive reviews from critics but did not attain it's full potential of success due to lack of promotion by Mandy. Over the span of the next two years, two more promotional record "Remedy" and "Ecstasy" were released, with each record juxtaposing one another. Remedy was a heart-pulling, power ballad about heart-break and betrayal while Ecstasy, was a pulsating, excitable, electrifying dance floor filler. Since the release of her last cut from the upcoming album entitled "Don't Talk To Me", Mandy took more time out to record some songs from the album and muster up the courage to "step back out" to the lights. Mandy officially wrapped up the recording of Electrified in December in 2020, after "Beautiful Nightmare" was recorded alongside Nick Urie. Soon after, Mandy Williams announced her new single, "Truce", which saw Mandy Williams break away from the negative speculation surrounding her for the last four years.

Composition

"Electrified" is a predominately pop album but draws influences from electronic music, dance, acoustic pop, R&B, synth pop, and alternative pop. The album sees Mandy Williams sing about heartbreak, breakup, sex, love, guilt, betrayal, trust, coming of age, loneliness among other topics. Unlike Mandy's previous album, this album sees Mandy William's get very candid lyrically on many of the tracks. Over a wide variety of production sounds that range from anthemic, acoustic, synth-driven and dark, the album sees Mandy tie in and bring listeners through the different moods and emotions she has experience over the last six years into one album.

The albums ties in Mandy's moments of confidence and love, during the early days of Electrified, to her her darker times during the middle stages of Electrified, and finally her triumphant breakthrough, which took place mainly during the latter recording sessions of Electrified. Tracks such as "Electrified", "I Want It All", "Ecstasy", "Something About Us", see Mandy Williams in top form, sporting her confident vocals and lyrical content, while songs like "Remedy", "Don't Talk to Me", "Alone", and "Lover (I Say)" tell a different story. It all comes together full circle with newer cuts such as "Love Me Better", "Guilt", "Trust" and "Truce", which give a whole new lease of life to Mandy and sees her better than ever as she comes to terms with with herself, her life, her experiences and her story as one of the prominent females in music with a rough past, that she's officially putting behind her. This diary book of Mandy's life over the past few years is told through anthemic records, heart tugging ballads, and euphoric lush pop songs that reflects on how Mandy has remained resilient through it all, as she bounces back to do what she does best.

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SINGLES




Electrified (#1), Something About Us (#1), Truce (#1)

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TRACKLIST


1. Electrified
2. I Want It All
3. Don't Talk to Me
4. Beautiful Nightmare (feat. Nick Urie)
5. Love Me Better
6. Lover (I Say)
7. Alone
8. Something About Us
9. Ecstasy (feat. mister_b)
10.Guilt
11.Remedy
12.Trust
13.Truce

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"Electrified” Booklet Photos

STREAMING: TRACK 2 - "I Want It All"


Title: I Want It All
Length: 3:30
Genre: Pop
Songwriters: Mandy Williams, Jay Lexus, Don Morrison,
Sara Flores, Rochelle Dixon
Andreas Schuller
Producers: J.R Rotem

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"I Want It All" is a performed by pop recording artist Mandy Williams. The record was produced by J.R Rotem and penned by Mandy Williams, Jay Lexus, Don Morrison, Sara Flores and Rochelle Dixon. As her supporters know, Williams has been hard at work on her upcoming new album "Electried" which has become hotly contested by her fanbase. Although Mandy's early career had been rocked by major setbacks and even a long period before her debut album was released, it looks as if Mandy has really found her footing as a pop princess placed in a fickle pop industry despite the trial and tribulation. Electrified also looks to be highly anticipated. Since the release of the Teenage Years, Mandy took off time to begin work on a new album, announced that she was engaged and dropped two new singles (Electrified) and (Something About Us) which both saw Mandy sporting a new found confident and ingenuity like never before. With Something About Us still firing up the charts, it certainly doesn't stop Mandy from offering us another cut off of her hotly contested new album. Shortly Mandy took to twitter to share with fans that she would be releasing a new song from the album without prior notice as she didn't want to keep fans waiting for the the May 2nd pre-order date.

"I Want It All" and is predominately a pop record that sees Mandy Williams take a slight change in lyrical content from her two previous singles from the album which included suggestive lyrics and slight raunchiness, but this new offering is more reminiscent of Mandy's earlier works intertwined with Mandy's new attitude and prowess.

In many ways, the record is quite vulnerable but nonetheless fun and quirky. Perhaps our favorite moment (aside from the chant like chorus) is Mandy proclaiming us in the early moments of the record where she giggles ("Hehe") and says "I like you a lot" and although it's just a few words, it screams typical Mandy and is just too cute for words reminding that even though Mandy's previous releases have been quite suggestive, there's still some innocence left somewhere in there. The record starts off with string flourishes but changes pace very quickly as the song then offers a snapping, clapping, snaring trap infused beat that is playfully catchy and even more-so with Mandy singing over the snapping beats and zipping synths. Over the production, Mandy Williams sings about appreciating a person's presence and impact they've had on her and her life as they've seemed to make everything better for her and lift her in a period where she was down, she now wants to give her all to them and wants them to do the same for her. It's an thankful ode to a very important person which makes the record even more relatable as we can assume everyone has at least one person who has lifted them up. This Young love anthem gets even better as we reach the chorus as the string flourishes return for the bridge as Mandy coos out in a wonderful harmonious voice and then we are brought to the anthemic chorus. In the chorus Mandy's voice is layer for the ("Up,Up,Up") but which makes the words sound chant like and gives the chorus an anthemic and triumphant feel.

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Hehe...
I like you lot...
Hehe...
I really like you a lot

I see myself come alive again
What is this place that I am in?
I look around and no more darkness trails
Not even all those lonely sounds
I look at you and I see the truth

I feel safe at last
It's something that I never knew
Baby look at me, my tears are drying away
You've freed my mind
Now I can decide
Where I'm gonna go
Coming from the after life
Baby you've helped me breathe again

Now I just want it all
(To give to you)
I just want it all
(To show you that I love you)
I just want it all
(To let you know you're the one)
I just want it all

So give it
Up, up, up, up, up
Give it
Up, up, up, up, up
And I just want it all.

Looking back at how I use to be
How I was drowning in my pain
I never thought that after all these years
That I would see the light of day
You came to me like a fantasy

After all this time
Now I don't need to dream
Everything is real
I find it hard to believe

You've saved me now
From going under ground.
I would've never known
How my life would turn out.
If you never came
I'd already be gone
I'd already be gone

Now I just want it all
(To give to you)
I just want it all
(To show you that I love you)
I just want it all
(To let you know you're the one)
I just want it all

So give it
Up, up, up, up, up
Give it
Up, up, up, up, up
And I just want it all.

Whoaaaaa
You've put the pulse back into my veins again
Whoaaaaa
The air right back into my lungs
Whoaaaaa
You've even helped me rise to my feet again
Now all my suffering is done

Baby look at me
As I'm standing here
I have finally reached my destiny
And I'm happier then I could ever be

Now I just want it all
(To give to you)
I just want it all
(To show you that I love you)
I just want it all
(To let you know you're the one)
I just want it all

So give it
Up, up, up, up, up
Give it
Up, up, up, up, up
And I just want it all.
So give it
Up, up, up, up, up
Give it
Up, up, up, up, up

Oh! Hehe...
I like you a lot...
Hehe...
I really like you a lot



SOUNDS LIKE:

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STREAMING: TRACK 4 - "Beautiful Nightmare" (feat. Nick Urie)


Title: Beautiful Nightmare
Length: 3:11
Genre: Pop
Songwriters: Mandy Williams, Nicholas Urie
Producers: Chris Loco

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"Beautiful Nightmare" is a record recorded by pop singer Mandy Williams and is featured as the fourth song on Mandy William's anticipated album, "Electrified". The song also features vocals by singer/songwriter Nicholas Urie, better known as 'Nick' Urie. "Beautiful Nightmare" was produced by Chris Loco, Nick Urie's frequent producer. "Beautiful Nightmare lasts 3:40 seconds and has lyrical content that speaks about rendezvous with a love interest, to only find out that it was all just all a figment of a imagination and a dream. These two individuals, which could be looked at as an love interest, or an ex, recall their times together, but only to find out it was just a lucid dream and they have to deal with the fact that this dream wasn't the real thing. The fun twist of "Beautiful Nightmare" is a fairly thrilling song, driven by a pounding drum beat and piano intermixed with the occasional string sections and acoustic guitar which compliment Mandy William's crisp vocal delivery and Nick Urie's emotive coo's. Interestingly enough, Beautiful Nightmare was one of the final songs record for the Electrified album and didn't almost make the cut. However, with the inclusion of Nick Urie on the record, it was decided that the record was most definitely a perfect piece to be offered on Electrified and made it's way as the fourth track on the album.

The "Beautiful Nightmare" song has an interesting back story. As one of the earlier tracks Mandy penned for the album, she got inspiration to write the song when experiencing a dream that seemed all too real. During this time the "dream felt real", and she was taken back to a moment of bliss, but when she woke up, this eerily realistic lucid dream was just a dream. This inspired the songwriter to pen the track and finalize it's parts all within two days. The quickness of the written record didn't speed up it's recording process since all recording for Electrified stopped in 2017 and the song was not revisited until the late months of 2020, when Mandy looked back at all the songs recorded during this five year period. When she came across "Beautiful Nightmare", the track almost did not make the cut. But after listening to the advice of her label's CEO, Nevaeh Martinez, Mandy Williams rethought her decision and it came up to her on whether or not the album would be on Electrified. In November of 2020, it was decided that "Beautiful Nightmare" would indeed be recorded for the album. William's also felt that the track would be even more of a thrill if there was a feature on the record of a male vocalist. After reaching out to fellow FREEDOM artist, Nick Urie, who happily accepted the feature. They had a online call and William's explained the lyrics and sent the song's lyrics over. When Nick Urie heard the record, he thought about about his frequent collaborator, Chris Loco. He felt Chris Loco would do a great job with the arrangement of the song. After the call, Mandy met with Chris Loco and then the three met up in Los Angeles to complete the arrangements of the song. The song was then recorded and mixed within a two week period and finalized for the Electrified album.

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Mandy Williams
Nick Urie
Together


I remember the first time
How you stole my heart
And you didn't even know it
The way your smile brightens up
My day like the moonlight in
The darkest of night
How you make me warm in just a single glance

The way you touch my soul
Is like my heart is bursting out
Feels like I'm in heaven

Whenever I see you
When you hold me in your arms
Sparks flew everywhere
I don't care what people think
Cause we're in our own universe
In our own universe

I love it, Can't shake it
Baby, it's crazy
I'll be waiting for you
I'll be waiting for you
To be in our own universe

I feel the butterflies in my stomach
When you look in my eyes
The goosebumps that form in my skin
When you touch my hand
And your eyes that gaze steadily
That make shivers run in my spine
And the blush that glows on my cheeks
When I hold you close

The way you touch my soul
Is like my heart is bursting out
Feels like I'm in heaven

Whenever I see you
When you hold me in your arms
Sparks flew everywhere
I don't care what people think
Cause we're in our own universe

I love it, Can't shake it
Baby, it's crazy
I'll be waiting for you
I'll be waiting for you
To be in our own universe

And it hurts me to know
That this is not real
And I don't want to wake up
In this beautiful nightmare
Cause I don't want this to end
Ohh
And with each joke, each laugh and smile
The gap between us shortens
Until I'm really next to you, and it finally happens
A kiss, a hand around my waist, draws me even closer
But then I wake, to find its just a dream, and now its over.

Whenever I see you
When you hold me in your arms
Sparks flew everywhere
I don't care what people think
Cause we're in our own universe

I love it, Can't shake it
Baby, it's crazy
I'll be waiting for you
I'll be waiting for you
To be in our own universe

In our own universe
I'll be waiting for you
I'll be waiting for you
In our own universe

Whenever I see you
When you hold me in your arms
Sparks flew everywhere
I dont care what people think
'Coz we're in our own universe

In our own universe
In our own universe
I'll be waiting for you
I'll be waiting for you
In our own universe

SOUNDS LIKE:

STREAMING: TRACK 6 - "Lover (I Say)"


Title: Lover (I Say)
Length: 3:10
Genre: Pop, R&B
Songwriters: Mandy Williams
Producers: Sir Nolan

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"Lover (I Say)" or simply "Lover" is the sixth track off of Mandy Williams' anticipated album "Electrified". "Lover" was penned by Mandy Williams was recorded with producer Sir Nolan. The record itself sees Mandy show off her vocal prowess in this new steamy, R&B/pop sultry dance number that oozes the right amount of confidence, sex appeal, and vulnerability put into one. This is a continuation of forward songs Mandy has recorded and continues to regain that essence she had surrounding her shortly before her six month break. The song has an undeniable sexy, sultry feel with the super catchy, snapping beats that are so apparent throughout the record. Along with the calm snaps, synthy R&B influences fluctuate over the beats in which Mandy's vocals blend best with as she sings with control and soft yet proclaiming tone as Mandy delivers an exceptional vocal performance which is both sexy and desirable. Mandy shifts between her lower and upper registers, singing in her lower register throughout the verses and switches to her higher register for the big chorus, that includes popping synths and an urban pop bassline where Mandy sings with a sweet tone that is very much so alluring.

Lyrically, the song can interpreted in several ways but is understood as being a pop record that explains a lonely individual who has the urge to find a new lover without any strings attached as they don't want to get hurt again, and the fact that someone else might still seems to be on their mind. Throughout the record Mandy sings: [Another one will surely come/Fill the void a few more nights/What is love? It's always on the run/Creeping in the dark, while you're creeping in a bed] during the lengthy prechorus and [I just want a lover, I don't need a soul mate/I just want a lover, you know, someone I won't hate] during the early part of the chorus. The beats continue to pick up and Mandy sings out Wait, wait, wait/I just want a lover, I don't need a soul mate/I say, I say, I say] which can easily get stuck in your head with the catchiness of the lyrics and the beats. Another highlight on "Lover (I Say)" is the beautiful bridge where the beats slow completely and just includes the snapping and the minimal beats, where Mandy in her lower register sings in a whispery tone: If I had my way, I would turn and leave/But something about us, I can't even breathe/All the complications, sent me into overdrive/I hope you think about me/I hope you thinkin' about me]: Mandy has this connection in singing with the lyrics that makes it almost like shes singing to us and makes the bridge come across as both haunting and lyrically superb. With the contrasting verses, there's enough lyrical content to really try and pick apart exactly what Mandy is talking about on the song, and that's what makes "Lover (I Say)" an even stronger record. It's pop music that has that catchy, youthful nature, but includes lyrical content and a vocal performance that reminds us through trial and tribulation, her skills as a pop star have not hindered one bit.

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I guess the time for change has come
I'm home but I'm home alone
And I miss you, I miss you so much
Not you, but your gentle touch

Another one will surely come
Fill the void a few more nights
What is love? It's always on the run
Creeping in the dark, while you're creeping in a bed

But I miss you, I miss you so much
Not you, but your gentle touch

I just want a lover, I don't need a soul mate
I just want a lover, you know, someone I won't hate
Someone to fill the sheets but never my heart
Try as they might, but the moment they start
I say, I say, I say
Wait, wait, wait
(I just want a lover, I don't need a soul mate)
I say, I say, I say
Wait, wait, wait
(I just want a lover, I don't need a soul mate)

I can't get close to anyone
Not for too long at a time
I can't get close to anyone
When it comes to emotions, there's a line
And I won't cross it, I won't risk my time
You risked my time
You risked my time

But I miss you, I miss you so much
Not you, but your gentle touch

I just want a lover, I don't need a soul mate
I just want a lover, you know, someone I won't hate
Someone to fill the sheets but never my heart
Try as they might, but the moment they start
I say, I say, I say
Wait, wait, wait
(I just want a lover, I don't need a soul mate)
I say, I say, I say
Wait, wait, wait
(I just want a lover, I don't need a soul mate)

If I had my way, I would turn and leave
But something about us, I can't even breathe
All the complications, sent me into overdrive
I hope you think about me
I hope you thinkin' about me
All the complications, sent me into overdrive
I hope you think about me
I hope you thinkin' about me

What is love? It's always on the run
Creeping in the dark, while you're creeping in a bed
But I miss you, I miss you so much
Not you, but your gentle touch

I just want a lover, I don't need a soul mate
I just want a lover, you know, someone I won't hate
Someone to fill the sheets but never my heart
Try as they might, but the moment they start
I say, I say, I say
Wait, wait, wait
(I just want a lover, I don't need a soul mate)
I say, I say, I say
Wait, wait, wait
(I just want a lover, I don't need a soul mate)
I say, I say, I say
Wait, wait, wait
(I just want a lover, I don't need a soul mate)
I say, I say, I say
Wait, wait, wait
(I just want a lover, I don't need a soul mate)


SOUNDS LIKE:
]

STREAMING: TRACK 8 - "Something About Us"


Title: Something About Us
Length: 3:30
Genre: Pop, R&B
Songwriters: Erik Zullo, Mandy Williams, Patrick Strickland, Darlene Reid
Producers: Ilya Salmanzadeh, Johan Carlsson

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Something About Us is the second official single taken from Mandy Williams upcoming studio album "Electrified". Something About was produced by Ilya Salmanzadeh and Johan Carlsson and was penned by Mandy Williams along with Erik Zullo, Patrick Strickland and Darlene Reid. The song was recorded in September of 2016, shortly after the release of Electrified, which saw Mandy Williams grow up her image. After the success of the single, Mandy began penning the record along with her writers and remembered being sent a record by Ilya Salmanzadeh and so contacted him about recording the song with the lyrics. When they entered the studio, Ilya showed Mandy a new version of the record which featured a guitar driven bass line and acoustic styling along with a new bridge that was produced by Johan Carlsson, only picking up the captivating nature of the song.

The trio entered the studio in September of 2015 and it took about a week to finalize the recording. After the single was recorded, it was sent to be mixed and was officially done in December of 2015. Mandy waited until Electrified ran its course and decided that Something About Us would be the new single taken from the album. Mandy Williams appeared on the March 12th edition of On Air With Ryan Secrest to officially premiere the record.

Something About Us is a sultry yet captivating pop record with elements of R&B that has a woman confessing her deep sexual attraction to another being in the record, the lyrics are compelling and aren't your simple cookie cutter pop lyrics but exude sensuality and provocativeness in a way never seen or heard by Mandy. From the very start, Mandy brings her sexy yet light tinged vocals to murmur out borderline provocative lyrics over a guitar driven backbeat. Throughout the record Mandy's passionate, soaring vocals add a sense of texture and modernity that makes "Something About Us" feel powerful and moving. Production wise the verses seem quite calm compared to the chorus where Mandy brings her personality filled belts over an astonishingly big chorus that includes drums, synths and guitars that mix perfectly with Mandy's alto - soprano vocal range. Another stand out throughout the record would be its bridge where the beats simply slow down leaving the electric guitar to take control, giving the record a climatic feeling. Soon after, Mandy gives some us some of her best vocal runs in career as we are brought back to the double chorus where Mandy adds in harrowing belts and adlibs with soaring vocals to bring the song to the very end.

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Forget about the old stuff
I really don't want to think
Just want to drink and make love to you
You're standing confused with a knife

It's a given that you're a dangerous man
But all I got is a mood for you
And I can always do what you want to do
Playing rough with the lights off
Violently letting ourselves go

Something about us
Something about us

We're bleeding and sucking whats left of purity
I'm slipping away cannot recall any other day
I medicate you and break the promises we made
Cause now we love and let it flow from our mouths
Something about us
Something about us

Rough, so rough
Something about us
Something about us
Rough, so rough

Trying to strike up a conversation
But it only ends with gasps of exasperations
Baby I can feel you losing control
With clenched fists tightly wrapped around me

How could I ever forget this?
You feel as if you found something new
Something real you could relate to
And the word is getting out among ourselves

Something about us
Something about us

We're bleeding and sucking what's left of purity
I'm slipping away cannot recall any other day
I medicate you and break the promises we made
Cause now we love and let it flow from our mouths
Something about us
Something about us

On the outside I pretend I don't wanna be this obscene
But you know what I'm feeling inside
All this love got me feeling electrified
Something about us
Something about us
You've tested my limits, now I'm so far gone
Holding on to the deep end, as we deepen
Something about us
Something about us

We're bleeding and sucking what's left of purity
I'm slipping away cannot recall any other day
I medicate you and break the promises we made
Cause now we love and let it flow from our mouths
Something about us
Something about us
Something about us
We're bleeding and sucking what's left of purity
I'm slipping away cannot recall any other day
I medicate you and break the promises we made
Cause now we love and let it flow from our mouths
Something about us
Rough, so rough
Something about us
Something about us
Rough, so rough

SOUNDS LIKE:

STREAMING: TRACK 11 - "Remedy


Title: Remedy
Length: 3:50
Genre: Pop
Songwriters: Mandy Williams
Producers: Greg Kurstin

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"Remedy"is a single performed by Mandy Williams and appears on Mandy William's upcoming album "Electrified". In fact, the record is an instantaneous download single that comes with each pre-order purchase of the pop stars highly anticipated album. The single was made available as a instant track before the pre orders for Electrified was made available and then canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. "Remedy" was written by Mandy Williams and produced with Greg Kurstin as one of the last tracks recorded for the album. Mandy's album has been a work in progress for quite some time. The music and writing processes have been rather smooth but trial and tribulation in Mandy's personal life hauled the actual recording, and so the album release was pushed back until early 2021.

Despite experiencing a turbulent 2016, Mandy Williams hasn't seemingly left the charts, releasing numerous hits leading up to the album's release with Something About Us and Lover (I Say) all finding massive success on the charts for the young songstress. However, those two singles offered a catchy, provocative and bombastic side of the pop star, but with "Remedy" Mandy offers a record that she's never released before and shows listeners that Electrified isn't an album full of meaningless pop tunes. Remedy is a heart-pulling, power ballad about heart-break and betrayal, and the rawness feel it has suits the subject perfectly. The songs arrangements are both simple and stripped yet captivating as Mandy offers her best vocal number to date. The emotive vocals that Mandy provides over the simple piano and sky-scraping melodies really gives the record a spine chilling aftertaste as Mandy hauntingly sings beautiful deep lyrics and a standout lyric where she coos: "The teenage years are over", signifying the growth of the young singer. With the release date of "Electrified" around the corner, Mandy shows that the album will offer more than just electrifying pop records, but will be a open book into Mandy's life, that has been a tabloid fodder for the past two years.

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You think you’re tough
But I’ve seen through the inside of you
You lie, you cry and you’re typical
Yet you don’t know the damage you do

Can't you see I'm a grown woman now?
(The teenage years are over)
I won't give you my time like back in the days
Stuck playing the same old childish games
But I think I'm feeling better now
I'm not falling for your new ways...

You surely know what it feels like to be alone
And to feel forever disowned by the ones you thought
You could trust while off on your own...
So maybe you should learn to lead by example
You surely don't know the damage you do....
At first there was no one else, except for me
And no one cared so much, except for me

You'll realize your life’s a misery
Cause no one cared, except for me
You’ll never find another remedy
For all your fears, except for me
(You broke me)
You'll realize your life’s a misery
Cause no one cared, except for me
You’ll never find another remedy
For all your fears, except for me
(You broke me)

You were everything to me
I was the shoulder you cried your eyes on
But it just wasn’t what it seemed
All these years down the drain, so blame me?

Even though the truth was in your eyes
You just couldn't stop your lies
So it's all your fault
That you fall to your demise
(You broke me)

You'll realize your life’s a misery
Cause no one cared, except for me
You’ll never find another remedy
For all your fears, except for me
(You broke me)
You'll realize your life’s a misery
Cause no one cared, except for me
You’ll never find another remedy
For all your fears, except for me
(You broke me)

I'm sick of this same old love, I've wasted all my time
Just try not to forget how much I cared for you
And that this isn't really what I wanted to do
So now it’s time to say farewell
Not just goodbye

You'll realize your life’s a misery
Cause no one cared, except for me
You’ll never find another remedy
For all your fears, except for me
(You broke me)
You'll realize your life’s a misery
Cause no one cared, except for me
You’ll never find another remedy
For all your fears, except for me
(You broke me)

At first there was no one else, except for me
And no one cared so much, except for me
You’ll never find another remedy
For all those fears, except for me
Don't you know I'm a grown woman now?
(The teenage years are over)

You'll realise your life’s a f*cking misery
Cause no one cared, except for me
You’ll never find another remedy
For all your fears, except for me
(You broke me)
You'll realise your life's a f*cking misery
Cause no one cared, except for me
You’ll never find another remedy
For all your fears, except for me
(The teenage years are over)




SOUNDS LIKE:

STREAMING: TRACK 13 - "Truce"


Title: Truce
Length: 3:23
Genre: Pop
Songwriters: Mandy Williams
Producers: Simon Ludwig

---

"Truce" is pop record that sees Mandy Williams comes to terms with her herself. In the record, Mandy Williams explains that she's calling a truce, but still wants to hurt the person who has done wrong by her. Due to this person doing wrong, she's still having trouble dropping her "guard" since the last time she "trusted a heart" she ended up "nearly losing her life on the floor". The lyrics hit hard, and is one of Mandy's most personal records to date and feels like a personal song made out of Mandy's personal diary book. The record in many ways not only offers closure to the fans of Mandy's who have been worried about her well being, but also sees Mandy Williams return back in top form. Offering a strong vocal number that is not only euphoric, but very vulnerable and inspirational. "Truce" was record in October of 2020 during the corona virus pandemic with producer Ludwig Göransson in Sweden. The song itself, although very vulnerable, is far from a downbeat affair. Instead, Mandy Williams fuses her tale of heartbreak with a slick, uptempo pop record that offers some clarity to her personal life, but still suggests remnants of the effects of a past heartbreak.

The record starts off with a haunting, echoey words I’m not running away but I don’t really want to fight/I’m not dropping my weapon but I don’t want you to die" before the beats come on, offering an 80's driven synth backing beat, as Mandy's luscious vocals sway on to the track. Mandy's always had a very distinct tone that sound best on simmery, mid-to up tempo records and here, Mandy is in top form. It takes little time before the song's catchy chorus makes way to the track where Mandy sings: I’m not saying goodbye but I can’t stay here forever/I’m calling a truce but I really wanna hurt you/Cause I remember the one time I trusted a heart/I was pushed right back right to the start/So can you see why I’m hesitant to waste time?" which offers truthful lyrics over the dreamy beats that has Mandy Williams doing heavily adlibs which adds to the overall presentation of the chorus and record itself. Elsewhere on the track, where Mandy proclaims: "Was it worth it now?/Did we break new ground?/Cause we’re both so alone/And it’s getting so cold" where Mandy seems to be asking was everything all worth it? Because it seems as if they have both gotten no where." Vocally, this is one of Mandy's tracks, as the somewhat laid back production allows Mandy's vocal cadence to sound clear and motivated, where listeners can truly absorb the lyrics, juxtosing to Mandy's previous tracks such as "Electrified", "Don't Talk to Me", and "Ecstasy".

"Truce", allows Mandy to come full circle with her past in her first comeback record in over three years.

---

I’m not running away but I don’t really want to fight
I’m not dropping my weapon but I don’t want you to die
Cause I’ve let down my guard before
And I ended up nearly losing my life on the floor
So do you understand why I’m a little scared?

If I drop the guard I always get hurt
No matter what I say, they say, it still burns
Never found a cure that could heal the pain
Never felt the pain that I’ve felt yesterday
I’d do anything to stay away from there, and I can’t drop the guard
So

I’m not saying goodbye but I can’t stay here forever
I’m calling a truce but I really wanna hurt you
Cause I remember the one time I trusted a heart
I was pushed right back right to the start
So can you see why I’m hesitant to waste time?

Was it worth it now?
Did we break new ground?
Cause we’re both so alone
And it’s getting so cold

I’ll sign anything you want but I still wanna burn you
I’m not gonna dare but I’ll tell you the truth
I’ll look back through the pictures, I love it
I treasured these and I want you to know it
But can you see how they still hurt me?

If I drop the guard I always get hurt
No matter what I say, they say, it still burns
Never found a cure that could heal the pain
Never felt the pain that I’ve felt yesterday
I’d do anything to stay away from there, and I can’t drop the guard
So

I’m not saying goodbye but I can’t stay here forever
I’m calling a truce but I really wanna hurt you
Cause I remember the one time I trusted a heart
I was pushed right back right to the start
So can you see why I’m hesitant to waste time?

Was it worth it now?
Did we break new ground?
Cause we’re both so alone
And it’s getting so cold

So I can’t drop the guard
No I can’t drop the guard

Ohhhhhh, it’s there to make sure I can’t get hurt
Now I find myself asking if it ever works
I fall, I fall, I fall, I fall again
And time, after time, after time, I break again

Was it worth it now?
Was it worth it now?
Was it worth it now?
Was it worth it now?

Was it worth it now?
Did we break new ground?
Cause we’re both so alone
And it’s getting so cold

If I drop the guard I always get hurt
No matter what I say, they say, it still burns
Never found a cure that could heal the pain
Never felt the pain that I’ve felt yesterday
I’d do anything to stay away from there, and I can’t drop the guard
So

I’m not saying goodbye but I can’t stay here forever
I’m calling a truce but I really wanna hurt you
Cause I remember the one time I trusted a heart
I was pushed right back right to the start
So can you see why I’m hesitant to waste time?




SOUNDS LIKE:

Tyler: Alright since everyone is running with their head cut off for the special I’m in charge of this interview. Now I have been around and hear about our guest music but I wanted to be really prepared for this I did a lot of research and planning. She has been in music, tabloids and after a long-deserved break, she came back with a new single Truce and Guilt as well as a new album, my guest at this time, Mandy Williams.

Mandy: Wow! Um! What an introduction, I'm so flattered that you took time to do this Tyler, seriously. Thank you so much for having me on my release day. It's truly an honor to be here talking with you and even though I'm so nice nervous today I'm really excited about being here and my album finally being out. Just a mix of emotions that I am trying to contain. Don't mind me! *laughs*

Tyler: How are you doing today Mandy, I’m going to talk about your new single and album in a moment but first I want to set the stage for how we got here if you don’t mind. So when I say Suzie Bad Influence what comes to mind?

Mandy: You know, I said this on twitter yesterday in like a huge essay to all my friends and family. It's been a really tough past 4 or 5 years for me and at this point I just feel so empowered. I feel wonderful really! Not only because my album is finally out but I've also got to reconnect with my fans in a way that we haven't connected in a while and that's through music. Um.. I feel like, it took a while for me to really want to get back out there and do what I love to do because music is truly my passion and I feel like it was my calling. My cookies, their my everything so I was honestly in my feelings last night and I was being truthful about it. Today, I feel so empowered and I feel stronger than I've felt in a really, really long time because I've been able to get so much off of my chest through music and when it's set and done, you go on and you feel....stronger, you feel...like a huge weight has been lifted off of your shoulders and right now. That's how I feel.



Mandy: Heheheh! This brings back so many memories oh wow! What a way to kick this off with the great laughs. *laughs again*. I remember this song and it's really a throwback wow! I mean, I personally don't think Suzie is a bad influence she's actually pretty damn bad ass and she's even reached out to me over the years and we've caught up periodically. I think at the time that this song came out. I guess? She was a bad influence as in...I felt really moved by how um..daring she was with her image and how she didn't really care what anyone said about her and she just went on and ..did it. She didn't care to be sexy and risque and I think I was influenced to do those daring things later on in my career. Just go for it! So yeah, this was actually a really fun collaboration!

The Teenage Years was your first big project but that wasn’t your first time going out to the public showing off your talent?
The Teenage Years was really such a nerve wrecking album for me. It was my first major project and like Electrified, it experienced some roadblocks and at the time I was really finding my footing in music and was still trying to find my sound at the time. I love the album because it was my first time really, really getting out there but sometimes when I listen back to the songs I kind of cringe..because I sound so young and just...yeah, I don't know. It was my first time getting out there in the public and I wanted to show everyone what I had but I think this was the catalyst for me to continue to push myself musically and the songs bring me back to a good place. It's the teenage nostalgia for me....*laughs*

What do you remember about SECRETS IN SUBURBIA. A horror drama where you were the lead actress in a cast with Radio Vine and Billy Khan?
Super, super fun experience! Working with Radio and Billy was awesome. Their both really open and expressive I was alittle shy at first but when around them you just can't help but break out and be yourself! Their super professional but also really big personalities so working with them also made me be the same and think...hell, it's okay to be outspoken and be alittle wild. But we all knew once that camera was rolling it was time for us to get to work. I loved playing my role in the film and also would love to work with Radio and Billy again. Brings me back to the good ole' days. It was fun.

How was that experience trying your hand in acting while still working on music?
The fact that I had to put so much time into memorizing the script and filming the drama meant that the album had to be put on hold. To be honest, I'm a horrible multi-tasker so I like to put my full focus on one thing at a time so I really give it up to the actors and actresses who record music while filming. It's such a daunting task, but it was either, not take this role and finish the album or put the album on hold and release The Teenage Years and I went with option A. Took sometime to really focus on the film and when that was finished I made sure to get back to work on the album.

Your first album release it is doing well, Looking back on The Teenage Years what would you say to your 19-year-old self that called herself the “Cookie Queen”?
I would really tell myself to make sure to have your guard up and follow your instincts. Don't always give others the benefit of the doubt and look the other way because you're in denial. If I could tell myself that right now, it would really alleviate some of the damage that was done to me and the damage I did to myself. I would tell myself to always be aware of the people around you because sometimes people may not have your best interest at heart. At the time, I didn't think like that, I was young, in the public eye and everything was just moving so fast. So I look at it as a learning experience after all of these years. When things are moving so fast, you don't always have a moment to reflect and think about these things or have someone explicitly tell you that and I'm sure people have, but when you're young you don't always think about the repercussions and sometimes you ultimately pay the price.

Let’s talk about the group the Zone, more importantly, Blake Williams your cousin. Can you talk about your relationship with him and your family back then and now?
Blake is very supportive of me and he's family at the end of the day. I don't always agree with the things that he says but he's always been outspoken, ever since we were younger. He's just how he is. I can't make excuses for the things that he says because I don't agree with them all the time, but he's always been supportive of me and has been supportive and there for me through it all. So I do thank him for the time he's taken to be for me.

Things are going well you do the interview with Ryan Secrest, you premiere Something About Us, then The London night club happened. In your words take us through that night when you were celebrating with friends?
I can't put any blame on anyone but myself for that. Not Deneil, not my friends, not the club. Unfortunately, sometimes when you have nothing else to turn to and you're in such a dark place.. you turn to partying and experimenting with things that are harmful to yourself.. looking for an escape. And that's not the proper way to do it. It was a "celebration" in some eyes, but to me I just wanted an escape and that escape came dangerously close to...death. I think that was a huge wake up call for me because that's not the proper way to deal with your emotions and stress and that night is just somewhere I don't like to go to but in order to come to one with myself it's something that I'm working to feel open to talk about. Being here and speaking about it now really helps too. So thank you, Tyler.

I know that it was a challenging moment for sure so I don’t want to add to that, but rumors were going around about Deneil and Drew being more than friends while still having you and Tisha Jackson together with them, have you ever talked to Tisha about Drew and Deneil friendship or relationship that they had somewhat behind closed doors?
Tisha and I have have never really spoken. I didn't even want to delve into that at the time because I was going through my own personal issues and I knew that it was so raw that just going and reaching out to her...I probably would've heard things that I didn't wanna hear and it would've just added to what I was already going through but I really do commend Tisha, I can relate to her in so many ways dealing with our situation but we've never formally spoken about it and I think it was good that we didn't we dealt with it in the ways that we did and I do hope the very best for her.

We could see a change in you since that incident with one Instagram post saying “Life goes on with or without you,” and another one “Standing tall, finally, got my feet on the ground” time heals all wounds they say but has their been enough time to heal from what happened with you and Deneil?
Absolutely. I think time heals wounds. It may take 2 years, 5 years, 10 years. There's things that people hold on for a long time and I think the fact that I speak about it in my music and took time to reflect helped alot and I'm ready to move on. I say in my song "Guilt", that this took five years to heal because I didn't deal with it head on! I just wallowed because I didn't have the closure that I needed to have. I've created my own closure, through music and it's a chapter that's officially closing. There's no need to continue to be stuck on something that was really hurtful and holding you back. It's held back so much and I missed out on five years of my life that I'm never going to back but I'm ready for the next five years to be about my personal empowerment and moving on to better things and going through life experiences that I wanted to achieve, like releasing an album, but holding myself back because of all the pressure and the media frenzy and just not being able to get over the betrayal but I'm ready to let go.

You had a lot of singles come from this new album, Electrified. “Lover (I Say)”, "Remedy" people could tell that "Something About Us" was different and treated different, talk about that song and what this new album means to you?
Electrified is everything that I wanted it to be. I am so proud of this album just because of the breakthrough that I had while recording this album. It wasn't an easy process. There was so much I had to fight through to get this album done. It took about five years to complete. At one point, I didn't even think this album could happen. I think with the push of my wonderful cookies and close friends I was able to push myself to get back out there. It goes back quite a while and the album really just tells a story from the start, until the end of a chapter in my life. There's track that explore how I was feeling at the beginning of it all, that electricity that comes with love and coming of age and wanting to be outspoken and be sexy and get out there. Like you said, "Something About Us" kind puts us at the beginning of it all. Being in love, wanting to make love. Recording that song was an absolute thrill. Working with Ilya Salmanzadeh Johan Carlsson was such a learning experience and they really pushed me vocally on this track. Really proud of it. And then there's deeper cuts that kind of explore my darker days dealing with heartbreak, betrayal and depression such which is explored on cuts like "Remedy". It's all reflected in this album and I think listeners will be able to actually hear it not only in the the lyrics, but the production too. In this album I wanted to be sure that listeners can put themselves in the time frame that I was in and kind of delve into the moods that I was feeling at that time. The album takes you through five years literally so it was important for me to really focus in on each and every track and be really specific about what each song offers. It's my first album having full creative control and I love the freedom. I love the fact that I was able to go ahead and open up and even through it was hard, it was so therapeutic to me.

Are songs like "Truce" and "Guilt" about him and letting things finally go?
I think in many ways Truce can apply to Deneil, absolutely. I love to write about my personal experiences and feelings in my songs so it's only obvious that, it'll show in tracks such as Truce. Where I'm saying "I'm calling a truce, but I still wanna hurt you" because yes I have those thoughts in mind but there's a comes a point where it's just time to move on and Truce is just triumphant and empowering to me and I know it is to people out there who have been betrayed before and just want to move on and focus on themselves but at the same time, your past experiences kind of shed light on your future and make you think twice about the person you're putting all your trust into. "Guilt" was more of a darker record that allows fans to put themselves in my shoes and feel the pain that I felt at one point and I wanted to include "Guilt" as a single on the album because I can't sit here and say that all is amazing and perfect but in order for me to overcome and be stronger, you've got to deal with the pain head on and I wanted fans to truly understand how I felt at the time and these two records are similiar but so different. "Guilt", which features amazing guitars by Ian Hanson...you guys might know him for Two Equals Three, musically and lyrically was somewhere I've never gone before and it was important for me to share my experiences with fans. I love both songs. They truly mean so much to me along with the entirety of Electrified.

You seem to be in a much better space in your life now, mentally you seem like a better more mature person than the days early on. How do you feel about life right now and what has been a source of strength for you now, that you have gone through what you have been through?
Thank you Tyler! Yes I'm in a much better place today and I think god, I think my friends and family and of course my fans for standing by me, offering me words of encouragement and letting me know it's OK to hurt, but it's even better to pull yourself up, dust yourself off and kick ass to the world and continue being great. Those are my sources of strength through this time. Music, fans, family and recording. Without these things, I feel like I still wouldn't be able to get up and get out. This time allowed me to find who I was through it all, it's a learning experience and I feel SO empowered right now. And I hope that through my experiences, others can feel like it's OK to be hurt, but it's so important that that you practice self care and get help if need be. Because at the end of the day you control your own life and it's important that you get back out there and follow your dreams no matter what roadblocks might be in the way.