(August 3, 2026) If you enjoy songs like “Car Wash,” “Wishing On a Star,” and “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore,” then you’re familiar with Gwen Dickey, who sang lead on those classics and is aptly known as “The Voice of Rose Royce.”
Gwen, who has lived in the UK for years now, still performs hits from the Rose Royce catalog to her fans’ delight but she also shares new music with them. Her latest solo effort is a four-song EP called This Is Gwen Dickey. Gwen co-wrote and co-produced each song, purposely veering away from the Rose Royce sound to reflect who she is as an artist. To achieve that, she teamed with producer/songwriter/guitarist Eric Jackson and songwriter/producer Robert “Elijah Storm” Daniels, whose credits both include Usher and Robin Thicke.
On this First Listen, we feature Gwen’s second single called “Water,” which is not to be confused with the 2024 hit of the same name. In Gwen’s song, she compares herself to water when with her special someone, illustrating a connection that isn’t forced but allows her to be herself freely, without reservation.
Infusing calypso-inspired rhythm, “Water” is radio-ready because it’s similar to today’s R&B. That’s not a coincidence; Gwen said she’s not trying to compete with the younger artists, but she knew her music would need to sound modern in order to get radio play worldwide.
True to her goal, Gwen doesn’t come across like she’s trying to be someone else. She’s being herself and sounds good doing so, bringing her classic voice into a fresh musical setting. Give “Water” a listen below, and catch the next wave of Gwen Dickey’s musical journey.
By Darnea N. Samuels
