It's interesting to hear the PWL mix of "He's Got Magic" in the context of the new songs. It makes me think of the big differences in recording methods from when you first started versus nowadays. What changes did you notice in the process, and did any take you especially by surprise?
We did the vocals in our studio at home. The recording was done in so many different ways. Sometimes we’d start with Marco doing the music and then send it wherever. But all of the vocals I did in my flat. It’s quite different than doing it in a big massive studio. It was a lot more comfortable. But that may be not just because of the environment, but also because of the years I’ve had to become more comfortable with the process. I love how the business has changed. That’s how I could put this record out: you don’t have to wait, you don’t have anyone telling you where to go. I’d like to have more money behind me, of course, so I could do videos and stuff like that. But it’s a great feeling to have your own business.
Your music from the '80s is notable for its hybrid of pop, R&B, and club sounds. Nowadays, commercial music can be much more fragmented, stylistically. Were you paying attention to these trends while working on the album?
I’m always listening to music and influenced by it. I love pop. “Roses” had different elements—something you can dance to, kind of soulful, and kind of pop in the sense of harkening back to Motown. That’s where I’m at. I’ve always loved dance music. I still love going to clubs to dance. It’s who I am. I really wanted to make sure that I represented that about myself. The next single that comes out is definitely an out-and-out club record. I like experimenting and following my heart. I never look to another artist and say, “I’m gonna do something like that.” That’s not who I am as a person.
The next single you mentioned, I believe, is “Excuses,” which is not on Bounce Back. Does this mean you are moving on from the album?
Bounce Back is definitely not over. We haven’t done heavy promotion of it, so not everybody knows it’s out. I’m super-proud of the album. But I really wanted to do a stomper song—something that you just dance your ass off to. I’m not even thinking beyond that. We can do what we want, so it’s great. We’re not saying no to anything—just going with the flow.
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