Don’t Call Her “Lady:” Jordyn Rayne set to release new album

Jordyn Rayne recorded her first album, Time Capsule, in 2022 while studying vocal performance at MacEwan University. That album was inspired by folk, indie music, and heartbreak — she described it as “sad girl times.”

However, listeners shouldn’t expect her upcoming album Lady to sound anything like her first album. While performing live on stage, she discovered that rock and pop-punk are a lot more fun. Because she enjoyed performing more upbeat music, she started writing songs to match her live shows.

“This album is very, very different,” Rayne said. “It has more of that upbeat feel … with lyrics that are more geared towards social issues. I didn’t want it to be another heartbreak album. I wanted to actually talk about issues that most people in the community are facing.”

Rayne grew up in Edmonton, where she continues to perform and record music. She said her new album, which comes out May 11, draws from artists like Avril Lavigne, Halestorm, The Pretty Reckless, and Miley Cyrus’ 2020 album, Plastic Hearts. Just like Cyrus, Rayne was also inspired by female rockers from the ’80s such as Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, and Stevie Nicks. So much so, that she named her dog Stevie Nicks.

So far, Rayne has released two singles to promote her new album. The first, “Poser,” has heavy-hitting drums, energetic guitar riffs, and crisp vocals. The song is about strength in the face of manipulation and betrayal. Her latest single, “Up in Lights,” came out in February.

“This song’s all about rising above the challenges of the music industry,” Rayne explained. She experienced many fall-outs with past band members, her past producer, and people telling her that she would never make it in the music industry. 

“This song is taking what they say and basically shoving it out the front door. Rising above that kind of negativity.”

The upcoming album’s title track, “Lady,” calls out the social expectations and stereotypes that women face. The song rejects the notion that “women are supposed to be looked at as prim and proper.” The main riff goes, “don’t call me lady.”

Rayne recorded Lady at Oracle Recording Studios in Sherwood Park. As an Edmonton-based artist, she knows first-hand the lack of support many local artists feel. 

“I feel like there’s not a lot of support for local music in the local media. The only radio stations that ever play local music are the university ones, right? So it’s tough to break out and find a voice in the community,” Rayne shared.

However, Rayne is not letting these barriers stop her. She is planning an album release party on May 11 and a tour of Alberta and British Columbia this summer. She will also be playing at Nextfest and Taste of Edmonton this summer, so local music fans will have multiple chances to see her perform!