Today, Brooklyn-born and bred soul powerhouse Bette Smith announces her upcoming album: "Goodthing," out July 12 via Kartel Music Group. Alongside the announcement arrives the record's title track of the same name, accompanied by a Hutch Films-produced video.
The new album is a sonic matrimony between gospel fervor and soul moxie, creating something urgent and irresistible. Led by Bette's bone-rattling vocals, the record's thematic core surrounds deeply personal stories of resilience and passion despite hardships and neglect.
A collection of thirteen brand-new original tracks, the album was recorded and produced in London with Grammy-winning songwriter Jimmy Hogarth, who is known for his works with industry icons like Amy Winehouse, James Bay, Paulo Nutini, and Sia.
"Bette is the real deal. Her delivery is the truth and comes straight from the heart," said Hogarth in regards to working with the soul artist.
About Bette Smith's 'Goodthing' and Its Title Track
When asked to speak about her forthcoming record, Bette described "Goodthing" as a "personal album" that tells singular stories plucked from "elements" of her life through each song, all culminating in one vivid picture that shows many of her "passions, struggles, and successes."
"But my sincere hope is that the music and words speak to people in their own lives and that listeners can relate on a human level," she continued. "Most importantly, I just want it to bring joy, comfort, and entertainment to people across the board."
Bette's childhood is deeply rooted in her family's expansive legacy of faith, spending her early years in the sacred halls of the local church along Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood.
Because of this, her sonic identity is liberally inspired by church music and the spirituals she grew up with and still sings as part of her church's choir to this day.
Bette's layered relationship with her mother who struggled with bipolar disorder also features heavily in the new record, channeling both loving and fraught memories.
In particular, songs entitled "Eternal Blessings'' and "Darkest Hour" delve deeper into the tribulations she experienced with her mother, with the brighter side of that same "coin" channeled into the tracks called "Happiness" and "Beautiful Mess."
All in all, Bette's imminent "Goodthing" record is a showcase of her growth as a person and musician, highlighting her talent as a songwriter.
You can now pre-order the upcoming album by clicking here. Also, you can watch the new single's official music video right below.
