(January 24, 2023) Philly native Tanqueray Hayward returns to SoulTracks after a hiatus with the new single, “You Lied.”
In 2020, the Gospel/Classical trained Tanqueray earned this site’s Best New Artist honors for that year’s Readers’ Choice Awards. This was well earned, thanks to great tunes such as “This Kind Of Love” and “Caught Up” as well as her highly recommended album, Definition Of A Woman.
Her new single, “You Lied,” was born out of heartache. Imagine being with the one you love for a mighty long time only to find the love they have is for someone else, along with the gaslighting of being told it’s YOUR fault when that is simply not the case.
With this ballad, Tanqueray lays her case gently at first with her soothing voice then let’s ‘em have it towards the middle with vocals filled with pain, then resolution that the love was just a lie. Topped off with a smooth sax solo towards the end followed by the repeated chorus into the fade, Tanqueray goes from a soulful whisper to a belting declaration towards the middle then moves on.
The five-minute power ballad is worthy of an album cut but this reviewer suggests a single edit for radio stations that may balk at the song’s length.
Overall, Tanqueray’s “You Lied” is continued proof that she has the goods. Looking forward to more great music from her pen and voice.
By Kevin Goins
Tanqueray Hayward – “You Lied”