Many artists have been declared “before their time” however with the album title After My Time, Noel pays homage to the soul stars of generations past that have paved the way for him to express himself through the “most relevant music” in his life. While he’d fit perfectly in the old-school soul genre, he has crafted an album that also proves him to be a unique new-generation artist with undeniable staying power.
As a kid growing up just outside of Boston in Brockton, Massachusetts, the 26-year-old musician soaked up the sounds of his father’s music collection, which consisted of plenty of old soul favorites like Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Tyrone Davis and Teddy Pendergrass. Noel realized his true passion for making music in high school and set out on the beaten path to a professional career by writing and producing songs and performing at clubs and showcases in and around the Boston area. During this time, he partnered with Larry “Lucky” Fernandes, a music executive also from the Boston area and head of Stalin Entertainment. Having grown up with Noel, Fernandes watched him develop into a promising musician and when he felt the time was right, he introduced the aspiring singer to fellow producer/artist Tommy Olivera and songwriter Balewa Muhammad of the Trakaddix production team.
Olivera had a wide range of industry contacts, among them former Naughty By Nature DJ / producer Kay-Gee, best known for his production work for Jaheim, Zhané and Next. Declaring him the “new-age Sam Cooke,” Kay-Gee brought Noel into the studio to record “Family Reunion” for the soundtrack to the 2004 film The Cookout. A number of industry players bore witness to the formation of Noel’s career, as he also found himself in the studio with hit-making producers such as Mike City and Dr. Dre along the way. After taking meetings with various labels, Noel’s camp ultimately settled at Epic and set to work on presenting to the world who they already knew to be R&B’s next superstar.
With his father’s two-hour Maxell soul tapes as their soundtrack, each year, Noel and his family made the long car trips to his grandparents’ home just outside Biloxi, Mississippi. There, he spent his summers soaking up the environment that would serve not only as a rural refuge, but the foundation for his manhood. It was here that the city boy learned of a world outside of Boston. He lived and breathed the stories of his predecessors’ struggles through the civil rights movement and the oppression synonymous with the South. The memories of Sunday mornings at church, fish fries and backseat make-out sessions were created and each summer, Noel nourished his existence with the growth and renewal he gained there, much like that offered through the time-honored Southern tradition of river baptisms.
It’s no wonder that Noel is already winning music fans over with his debut single, aptly titled “The River.” Kay-Gee produced the feel-good track in the tradition of an old-soul ballad, which harks back to the all-encompassing elements of love, family and summers in Mississippi. Noel recalls of writing the song, “My grandfather had just died and I was thinking about him, and in the Deep South, the river represents something spiritual.” He attributes the song’s popularity to its applicable theme. “I think there’s something in the record a lot of people can hold and grasp and relate to. It seems like people from 15 on up to 50 years old can grab something from this record.”
Along with his production team Trakaddix, Noel Gourdin co-wrote much of the album, which also boasts a formidable list of collaborators, including Raphael Saadiq, Vidal & Dre, The Black Beatles and Eddie F. Grown-and-sexy but edgy enough to appeal to the younger crowd, the disc offers up the melodic sounds reminiscent of pioneering soul imprints like Motown, Stax and Philly International, while incorporating the beat-driven hip-hop rhythms that are a constant on today’s music charts.
Some of these gems include “Reach,” on which Noel flexes his falsetto muscles while addressing the notion of giving a 100 percent to a relationship. “Sorry I Led You On,” is about the harsh realities of a man growing out of love. Noel lets his lover down easy on the track produced by Soundz (Usher). Salaam Remi (Amy Winehouse) works his magic on “Open.” Borrowing from the late B.I.G.’s “Who Shot Ya,” the tastefully seductive track hears Noel give praise to that special woman who arouses his sensual side. The typical male-female roles are switched on “One Love,” a groove-driven track on which Noel looks to take a relationship to the next level. The downside of love is represented on tracks like “Too Late,” where he campaigns to save a union he fears is already doomed; And Trakaddix’s own “Hurts Like Hell” hears the artist brokenhearted but bitter and resigned to move on. Hip-hop is infused again on the latter track, nodding to A Tribe Called Quest’s “Lyrics to Go.”
In summing up himself as “city to the heart but southern to the soul,” Noel also sums up his music. “It’s emotional and vulnerable, but still strong and secure.” He is certainly among those rare artists who can walk the fine line between being “what’s hot” and a favorite among more mature listeners. His music can be played at the young people’s party or the family barbeque, much like contemporaries John Legend, D’Angelo and Robin Thicke before him. However, artistically in a class by himself Noel declares, “More than anything, I wanted to make music that was real, relatable and timeless.” And with this first offering destined to become a classic, Noel Gourdin has certainly done just that.
Brand New
Noel Gourdin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In so many different ways
When people
They seem to lose their faith
For whatever reason we're giving
If things change like the seasons
It's is too hard to explain
So I know things will get better
You go through pain for pleasure
Can't have sunshine without rain
And once it's washed away
Your life will feel refreshed
After all the things you left
It was a lesson at hand
Than to know that there's a greater plan
(Got me feeling)
Brand new
(Brand new, brand new)
Brand new
When I wake up in the morning
I feel reassured when I get this feeling
Brand new, brand new
(I can't believe it, no)
Everyday is such a blessing
And I can't take this for granted
I'm brand new
When the night falls
And with the rising of the sun
I'm here for a reason
And my work is far from done
So if the job ain't working out
Not enough in your bank account
Or your partner broke your heart
Then you need a brand new start
So I know things will get better
You go through pain for pleasure
Can't have sunshine without rain, no, no
And once it's washed away
Your life will feel refreshed
(So refreshing, yeah)
After all the things you left
It was a lesson at hand
Than to know that there's a greater plan
Brand new
(Brand new, ooh yeah)
Brand new
When I wake up in the morning
(When I wake up)
I feel reassured when I get this feeling
(Ooh, so brand new)
Brand new, brand new
Everyday is such a blessing
And I can't take this for granted
I'm brand new
You've got to leave behind all the negativity
Start fresh, turn the page, a new chapter has begun today
More joy and happiness with more focus, more success
It's time for you to do for you
So leave the stress and start fresh
Brand new, brand new
When I wake up in the morning
(Heavenly Father)
I feel reassured when I get this feeling
Brand new
(I feel, yeah, oh)
Brand new
Everyday is such a blessing
(So fresh, so fresh, so new, so new, oh)
And I can't take this for granted
I'm brand new
When I wake up in the morning
I feel reassured when I get this feeling
Everyday is such a blessing
And I can't take this for granted
I'm brand new
The lyrics of "Brand New" by Noel Gourdin speak of a person who has lost faith and has been hit by hardships but eventually learns that life goes through seasons and change eventually comes. In the first verse, the lyrics describe how people tend to lose faith for various reasons, even though it can be tough to explain why. However, the chorus reminds listeners that things will get better and that tough times are necessary for growth. In the second verse, the lyrics advise those going through a tough time to start fresh and move on from negativity as it is essential to let go of the past to make room for new beginnings. The song ends on a positive note with the singer reminding themselves that every day is a new blessing.
Line by Line Meaning
It happens everyday
Everyday, people lose their faith for different reasons.
In so many different ways
There are many ways in which people lose their faith.
When people
People in general.
They seem to lose their faith
They lose belief in themselves, their abilities, or their future.
For whatever reason we're giving
No matter what reason is given for the loss of faith.
If things change like the seasons
If things are constantly changing.
It's too hard to explain
It's difficult to explain why things change and why faith is lost.
When blessings fall out of the sky like rain
When good things happen unexpectedly, like rain falling from the sky.
So I know things will get better
The artist believes that things will improve over time.
You go through pain for pleasure
The pain that one experiences now will lead to greater pleasure in the future.
Can't have sunshine without rain
You cannot have good times without bad times.
And once it's washed away
Once the pain is gone, once you've experienced the bad times, then...
Your life will feel refreshed
Your life will feel new again, like a fresh start.
After all the things you left
After leaving behind all the negativity and stress.
It was a lesson at hand
All the pain and hardship was a lesson to be learned.
Than to know that there's a greater plan
It's better to trust that everything happens for a reason, that there is a greater purpose behind it all.
Brand new
Feeling new, renewed, and refreshed.
When I wake up in the morning
At the start of each day.
I feel reassured when I get this feeling
The feeling of being brand new and refreshed reassures the singer that the day will be good.
Everyday is such a blessing
Each day is a gift to be grateful for.
And I can't take this for granted
The artist realizes that they cannot take their blessings for granted.
When the night falls
At the end of each day.
And with the rising of the sun
With the start of each new day.
I'm here for a reason
The artist believes that they have a purpose in life.
And my work is far from done
The singer believes that there is much to be done to fulfill their purpose.
So if the job ain't working out
If things aren't going well in one area of life.
Not enough in your bank account
If finances are a problem.
Or your partner broke your heart
If a relationship has ended badly.
Then you need a brand new start
The only solution is to start fresh and renew oneself.
You've got to leave behind all the negativity
Let go of negative thoughts and emotions.
Start fresh, turn the page, a new chapter has begun today
Begin anew, with a fresh start and a new outlook on life.
More joy and happiness with more focus, more success
By focusing on the positive and the good, one can achieve greater success and happiness.
It's time for you to do for you
It's time to focus on oneself and one's own needs and desires.
So leave the stress and start fresh
Leave behind the stress and negativity and embrace a new start.
Contributed by Adam J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
djroc699
Love his music.
Nelson D
I brought his album a few months ago and I can tell you that it is one the best albums in 2011, 2012. From the first to the last song keeps you rocking and singing. I am post it of my FB and getting everyone to buy the CD. We have to support good music and great talent. BTW I brought the first album as well. Keep making great music.
Keisha Blocker
I just bought this cd, this man is so soulful. Thank GOD good music isn't dead.
valure23
I play this whole cd no skips love it!
Loreal Sias
this song speaking my heart right now!
Sandra Douglas
Love this song.. Refreshing🌅🎺💟
Mz. Angus
Heard this for the 1st time today. Love love love love
Courtney Stewart
My husband played this song as we were headed to the hospital to have our baby girl. Thanks Noel.
Noel Gourdin
My absolute pleasure, congratulations on y'alls baby Girl...
L. Eric Cole
I feel the same as soni77771 man this song is amazing, and I will definitely be buying his cds. I have to be honest I am more into hip hop and R&B but man oh man I have been sleeping on Noel. Phenomenal artist