LVRN/Interscope artist and R&B’s favorite homegirl Alex Vaughn releases her debut project The Hurtbook. She also releases visuals (Watch Here) for opener track “So Be It” featuring a cameo from popular actress and comedian Jay Cole. The Hurtbook, a breath of fresh air for R&B, captures the true essence of raw talent and emotion that effortlessly oozes through Vaughn’s classically trained musicianship with the raw expression she’s developed as she digs deeper into her craft. The Hurtbook is about growth and the growing pains in relationships, romantic, platonic and with oneself. Alex stated, “The project started off as a compilation of thoughts from an old relationship but grew into a quilted map of patterns and events that applied to more than just romance. It’s about being honest with yourself and how you feel about those changes that are happening. Most importantly it’s a reminder that though these series of events may have hurt you, you are not broken”.
On the project she teamed up with legendary super producers like Rodney Jerkins (“So Be It” and “Do You Ever”) and Camper (“Demon Time” and “Talkin” written by Jozzy), as well as Grammy nominated producer DJ Money (“I’m Leaving”). The eight-track project also includes previously released singles “Mirage” and “Talkin”. Vaughn opens the project with, “So Be It”, a powerful ballot that breaks down the emotions surrounding a breakup between friends; that at times can more painful than romantic love lost. “I ignore my intuition once again, all for me to say you’re still my friend,” Vaughn sings. She then follows up with the upbeat feel-good song “Keep That Energy (One More Chance)” sampled from the late Notorious B.I.G. Vaughn opens the track with instructions to “Keep that energy to yourself” and proceeds to explain why “ain’t got time for your petty games, I’m getting older”. She captures the nostalgia of the original sample while adding her unique touch.
THE HURTBOOK TRACK LIST
1.) So Be It
2.) Keep That Energy (One More Chance)
3.) Mirage
4.) Talkin
5.) Do You Ever
6.) Demon Time
7.) I’m Leaving
8.) No Love (Outro)
Alex Vaughn’s evocative R&B songs are written with richness, honesty, and a desire to always keep evolving. An unquenchable thirst for growth is what’s powered the Maryland singer/songwriter as she’s released songs like her February single “Mirage,” a hypnotizing reflection on a toxic situationship, her first release since signing with LVRN/Interscope in 2021. Since then, she’s continued to push herself. Her new project, The Hurtbook, seamlessly juxtaposes her classically trained musicianship with the raw expression she’s developed as she digs deep. Vaughn’s trajectory was always going to include music. As a toddler, she’d often sprint from the bathtub to her grandmother’s piano and around age five or six, her parents enrolled her in classical and jazz piano lessons. Still, her heart was set on R&B. In 2017, Vaughn began posting covers to Instagram and Twitter, which led to performances at notable venues such as The Kennedy Center and The Fillmore and opening on national tours for K. Michelle and Eric Bellinger. During the pandemic, Vaughn joined LVRN’s Instagram Live talent show. She caught the label’s attention, and the following year, they formalized their belief in her. Now, with The Hurtbook, she’s using her platform to show her fans how far self-belief can go. “My fans will always know that I am a human being, so I’m scared just like you are,” she says. “I’m nervous like you are. I’m excited. I feel what you feel. I’m doing the best that I can with what I got.”
FOLLOW ALEX VAUGHN
INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | TIKTOK| TWITTER | FACEBOOK
