Track By Track: Julia Haltigan Breaks Down New Album Trouble

Motorcycle-riding bombshell songstress Julia Haltigan is gritty, vulnerable, and a little bit dangerous, and she’s ready to win listeners over with her compelling stories.

The NYC-raised artist who, in addition to maintaining her solo career proves herself as a multi-talented performer in off-Broadway productions and pop band Sugar for Sugar, recently released her new album Trouble. Produced by W. Andrew Raposo (Midnight Magic, Hess Is More) and TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek, the album is a big throwback mood, coming complete with classic rock ‘n roll guitar and a smoldering glow that runs throughout each of its 10 tracks.

Haltigan broke down Trouble track by track for Musical Notes Global readers. Check out her thoughts below.

“Ice Cream Switchblade” - Teenage rebellion and coming into your own as a downtown kid. growing up on the lower east side of NYC--it's all about finding another 'tough' person to run around with as you pretend to run the city.

”You Don't Even Know It” - You know that person who is blissfully unaware of the jagged wake of broken hearts that follow in their footsteps? I still have a soft spot for that person and this song is for them.

”Wool” - I often want to capture emotions and dreams evoked by film and TV in my songs and how the make-believe world we vacation in often influences our reality.

”Debris Of Love” - This song is about falling in love while knowing it won't last long. It's also about the energy New York City has during the summer. Sneaking a bottle into the park past cops and busted fire hydrants; those New York summer nights when it feels like anything could happen.

”Just A Little Thunder” - This song lives among equal parts bliss and alarm. It's about trusting someone despite the red flags--those rumbles in the distance we willfully ignore while falling in love.

”Walkaway” - This is revenge music. Someone's been pushing your buttons for too long and it's time to leave them in the dust...and maybe you're enjoying the thought of them watching you go a little too much.

”Bad Habits” - In this song, I'm not the addict, I'm the addiction. We all struggle to control our vices and I can relate to being on both sides of that mirror.

”Skeleton Dance” - I wrote this one to help me find comfort after losing someone. I've always loved the dancing skeletons in old Disney & Betty Boop cartoons so I embraced the macabre and created something playful and celebratory out of the sadness of mourning. I like the idea of this song helping the spirits of those no longer with us find a joyful plane somewhere on the other side.

”Mind Eater” - I love all things related to the apocalypse and zombies and this song is my imagination of modern society heading for end times.

”Be With You” - If our world is to end in terrible and horrific ways, at least I've got someone I love to hang out with while it does.

”Cindy” - A song about fleeing your troubles only to realize they follow you wherever you go.