ZZ Ward drops new record ‘Dirty Shine’

ZZ Ward is a musical sensation known for her original fusion of hip hop, pop, R&B, soul and rock who now brings us her new full-length record titled Dirty Shine. In ZZ’s dedicated fan community, ‘dirty shine’ represents authenticity and embracing imperfections. This concept has evolved into a mission statement for ZZ, promoting self-acceptance and resilience.

ZZ’s musical journey began early; she started singing blues at the age of 8, inspired by her father’s eclectic record collection. By 16, she’d already become a fixture in local Eugene clubs, seamlessly blending blues with hip hop influences. After hustling for gigs and selling demos, she secured a record deal with a major label and swiftly ascended to stardom, earning a Top 40 Billboard hit with her debut.

Now, ZZ Ward embarks on a significant new chapter with the release of her third album and her first as an independent artist. The new LP boasts an astonishing lineup of award-winning producers, including Ludwig Goransson, Mike Elizondo, Jason Evigan, Dave Bassett, S1 and the duo Mark Jackson and Ian Scott.

ZZ Ward’s collaboration with her brother Adam William Ward resulted in two remarkable music videos that form a mini-movie, diving into a Zombie-Western love story. The first part was featured in the video for “Forget About Us,” where ZZ portrays a woman betrayed by her partner but finds new love and eventually marries someone else. The story concludes with her cheating ex crashing the wedding, leaving a cliffhanger for the action-packed sequel in the video for “On One.”

“Welcome to Dirty Shine,” the album’s introductory piece, immerses listeners in a smoky western atmosphere, led by twanging guitars, ominous drums and vocal chants. The album then kicks into high gear with “Ride or Die,” featuring VIC MENSA. ZZ Ward’s commanding vocals shine as she delivers a captivating performance, stretching her melodies over a grooving blend of shuffling drums, guitars and bright strings. This track deftly straddles the boundary between bluesy rock and hip hop, with VIC MENSA’s slick rap flow adding an extra layer of sonic brilliance.

“Forget About Us” shifts gears, offering a smooth alternative R&B-inflected sound with a laid-back, snapping beat, gently swelling synth tones and an impressive vocal display before the song bursts into a powerful crescendo during the choruses.

Check out the music video for Forget About Us below

Another lead single, “On One,” is a truly anthemic offering, featuring artist and filmmaker Jean Deaux. It offers a driving hip hop groove and an empowering message inspired by ZZ Ward’s experience as a new parent. Jean Deaux’s distinctive vocal prowess blends perfectly with ZZ Ward’s voice, resulting in a highly original and instantly memorable sound.

Check out the music video for On One below

The album concludes with “OverdoZZe,” a superb showcase of ZZ Ward’s hook-focused songwriting panache. It’s a punchy pop track overflowing with energy, driven by an infectious rhythm, harmonica-led instrumentation, grooving bass pulses and stellar vocal leads to provide the perfect finale to her remarkable new record.

Commenting on the album, she shares, “The concept of ‘dirty shine’ is larger than the record. When I put out my first album, my fans and I started saying we are ‘dirty shine.’ It was about embracing who you are— we are all dirty, a little rough around the edges. I’ve always had this vibe, but I feel like this time in my life is like ‘dirty shine’ on steroids. I can fully be myself, and nothing can stop me.”

Adding, “This album gave me new life. It taught me to be a fighter, and allowed me to let my dirty shine.”

Listen to Dirty Shine below