It’s a chilly morning in my neck of the woods, with piles of dried-out leaves seemingly gathered in protest beneath barren trees. Earlier, I spotted an older neighbor strolling with his pony-sized pooch; it’s an unruly canine with an inquisitive heart, always leading him instead of the reverse. It patters one way, then the next, ignoring his barked commands. The sun, meanwhile, traverses a cloudless sky, the dissonance between its summer-like visage and the crisp temps somehow mirroring the soul. Deflection and reflection accent this time of year. Winter nears.
British R&B/soul singer Nia Wyn captures the mood of the moment with her latest single, “I Wish It Would Rain,” which delves into the disconnect that occasionally develops between our moods and the world around us. It is not, as I initially thought when she teased it, a cover of the classic lead single to (and title track of) the final Temptations album with David Ruffin—though that would have been cool. It is, however, a dose of old-school rhythms and stiletto-like horns that conjures Norman Whitfield’s legendary collaborations with the Temps; Wyn’s slinky vocals, a la her sophomore set, remind me of Duffy’s and Amy Winehouse’s—a huge compliment. She noted on Instagram, “I wrote this song last summer about giving someone multiple ‘second chances’, hoping they’d change for the better. It’s also about when the weather doesn’t match how you feel.” It’s a catchy and compelling tune, the kind that will have you dancing about the room.
She wrote the song, it should be noted, and also plays guitar. Accompanying her are the legendary Paul Weller on guitar, Hammond organ, and backing vocals; Vicky Edwards on bass; and Steve Pilgrim on drums. Weller produced the track, which was recorded at his Black Burn studio.
The Old Grey Cat 