Nicky Moran Releases New Album ‘Unlocked’

Unlocked, the 10th Gospel album from Nicky Moran, was mostly written and composed during lockdown. It reveals the contemplation and reflection invoked by that unprecedented event and features her recent single Gonna Turn, performed for the first time at the finals of the 40th MLT Song Writing Award in June 2021.

Unlocked contains Christian themes of praise, redemption and contemporary worship. It is an uplifting combination of catchy and sometimes unexpected sounds. A mix of 70’s/80’s pop with a sprinkling of Americana, Country Blues, Rock and even big Orchestral ballads. Guaranteed to get you dancing along, whether it’s to Holy Is Thy Name, which goes from zero to groovy in 5 seconds flat, or the Beatles-esque Faith Come Alive. Jesus Our Reality features rhythmic flamenco guitar and Better Than Life Itself has a beautiful Orchestral flavour which is both inspiring and empowering.

Nicky says: “the songs keep morphing and developing. I’m influenced a little by Johnny Cash, but working with a choir and hearing fresh flavour in my songs compelled me to try new sounds, new ideas.” Moran is at her most creative during quiet times of reflection, musings, prayer and contemplation. During our lockdown in New Zealand: “the Scriptures poured out of me when I was still and quiet and not rushing in the everyday ordinary life things.”

Nicky has faced her own personal lockdown, being severely ill in her 30’s. Unable to do much she played piano and along her long road to recovery encountered Divine inspiration and unlocked “her true heart voice”. She says “Unlocked is about letting go of old behaviours and unlocking new mindsets that focus on positive affirmations. Unlocked reminds us that positive affirmations are good for the soul, something we all need post 2020.

A prolific artist, writing, recording and touring at a pace that is hard to keep up with, Nicky is about to embark on her next tour, her second this year. For the last 6 years Nicky has toured New Zealand prisons, the only female artist to do so, performing 450 gospel shows in various forms on the inside to male and female prisoners. This tour is a community tour with 32 gigs planned (lockdown permitting!)

Given her Country/Gospel sound and ability to express her thoughts, and passions through her music one could almost call her the female, Kiwi, Johnny Cash.