Alexandra Kay On Healing, Finding Love Again, And Her Powerful New Album ‘Second Wind’ [Exclusive]

Alexandra Kay has always been known to put the most authentic songs in front of fans and she’s doing that once again while highlighting themes of strength, grace and a whole lot of heart on her sophomore album, Second Wind, out today (October 24).

Following her acclaimed independent debut All I’ve Ever Known, which hit #1 on iTunes (All Genre & Country) and landed in the Top 10 on multiple Billboard charts, Second Wind carries forward the same emotional depth her fans fell in love with, while offering a brighter, more hopeful tone.

Within her new collection Kay dives into the plethora of changes she’s endured in her life and career since her first project. She’s gone through a divorce, fallen in love all over again and achieved a major milestone by signing with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. This 14-track project documents the rising star’s journey of finding her “second wind” and rediscovering herself in the process.

“That title, when I think about it, I think about my fans. I think about my label, BMG, I think about all of these things that have happened to me this year that have given me another chance to live my dream every moment,” she explained to Country Now. “And I say this on stage every single night, every moment that I felt like I was done, I can’t handle another let down, I can’t handle another setback, I’m getting too old for this, whatever the thought might’ve been, the fans literally did not allow it. They were like, ‘okay, well, we’re just going to blow up this video,’ or ‘we’re just going to sell you out of merch,’ or ‘we’re just going to sell you out of all of your albums.’ I mean, they just didn’t allow it any chance that I thought about quitting. They were like, no, and they just took me to another level.”

Along with giving credit to fans and the label for her rejuvenation, the title mostly prominently a message of gratitude for getting to do something she never thought she’d be capable of doing again – learning to trust someone with her heart.

Just as she had lost all hope from her difficult divorce, Kay met Rocko Beall, who now acts as her music director, her number one supporter and the inspiration behind several songs on this project. She credits him as being the one who came into her life when she thought: “I would never love again, I would never trust anybody again, I would never put my heart out there to get hurt like that again.”

“Honestly, what’s really crazy is I’ve been saying this every night on stage, I’m just so happy that we ended up choosing ‘Second Wind’ as the title track for so many reasons. Because one, obviously my relationship with Rocko very much I inspired the song ‘Second Wind,’ but when I started to think about ‘Second Wind’ as a title for this album, so many things came to mind because not only is Rocco the person that put the wind back in my sails…naturally meeting him and realizing that true love is not supposed to feel the way I always have felt it, and that was really what we wrote ‘Second Wind’ about.”

Featuring fan-favorite tracks, “Straight For The Heart,” “What He Does,” “Feminine Energy,” “The Last,” “Cupid’s A Cowgirl,” and more, the heart-stirring collection combines elements of heartbreak, healing, and hope among 14 songs, reminding listeners that sometimes, starting over is exactly where you’re meant to be.

Alexandra Kay’s voice, equal parts delicate and powerful, makes every lyric feel like it was pulled straight from a page of her diary.  This is especially true for her single “Straight For The Heart,” set to impact country radio next month.

The Illinois native revealed that this song is getting extra special attention right now because not only is set to impact airwaves or the loudest song in her live shows at the moment, but it’s also going to be the name of a signature drink at her very own coffee shop, The Coffee Girl.

Penned by Karley Scott Collins, Jimmy Robbins and Sasha Alex Sloan, the anthemic track finds Kay pleading for honesty from the other person in her life. She asks that if they are going to end things and throw away their love, that they do it quick rather than drag it out in an effort to avoid any further pain.

The songstress admitted she was eager to cut this song as getting pitched outside songs is now one of the many perks that comes with being signed with a label.

“I really, really wanted to get outside pitches for so many years. I love songs, and I’m very aware that I am not the best songwriter in the world, and I want the best songs in the world. And so I was very, very excited to get outside pitches. So when they sat me down and I got my first pitch meeting and I listened to ‘Straight For The Heart,’ I said, ‘Oh my God, do not show this to anyone else or else. This is my song.’ she recalled. “And I’ve been in love with it ever since.”

Overall, the process of making Second Wind was nothing short of exciting for Alexandra Kay. She is clearly proud of this evolution, be able to embrace new sounds and share fresh perspectives on her life journey.  

“What’s very exciting for me is I think that people are going to be listening to the record and they’re going to hear songs like ‘Right Now,’ which is another song I haven’t teased, but they’re going to hear songs like that and be like, ‘what are we listening to? Is this an AK record or is this a Morgan Wallen song?’ So seriously, I’m so excited to just see people’s reaction to the album.”

She added, “I love writing ballads, and I love being the Ballad Girl and the Emo Girl. But this was just a very, very fun twist, and I think that I grew as a songwriter and making this project, which is always the goal.”

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Kay is currently on the road for her third headlining tour of the year. Named after her album, Second Wind: The Tour launched in September and runs through November 16. She is joined by special guests Chase McDaniel, Julia Cole and Logan Crosby on select dates.