Michelle Ann Owens returns to the music spotlight with her new album “Chapter Vegas,” a project shaped by a stretch of time that pushed her songwriting, emotional range, and musical approach into new territory. “Chapter Vegas” captures the brief period of Owens’ life spent living in Las Vegas.
Owens arrived in Las Vegas in early 2024 to experience a change of scenery. She realized quickly that she would not stay long, but the city influenced her creativity almost as soon as she settled in. The electricity of the Strip, the pressure woven into daily life, and a constant feeling of volatility poured into her writing sessions. She wrote more often and finished songs far faster than she had in Los Angeles. The drive did not always stem from bright inspiration. Tension, major lifestyle adjustments, and the extremes of Vegas played a larger role. The city can lift a person or pull them apart without warning, and that range found its way into her lyrics and production choices.
Owens chose to revisit several older styles like soul & funk from the 70s/80s, and reimagine covers with full horn sections, using local horn players who added a character she had never tapped into before. Standout brand new songs like “Funkin’ Beautiful” and a last-minute addition to the LP, “SIDEPIECE,” showcase different sides of Owens’ artistry.
As she moved deeper into the original tracks, she teamed up with producer Michael “Fish” Herring, known for his work with Christina Aguilera and Prince. Owens brought him early demos that needed stronger direction. He understood how to elevate them while preserving their grit, and his production sense helped unite the originals with the reimagined covers and pushed her sound forward without losing her identity.
Owens approached the record with an organic palette built around live drums, guitars, bass, keys, and horns. She wanted the music to breathe and carry the warmth and imperfections of earlier eras. She did not aim to create a concept album or deliver a coded message; Owens wanted music that grooves, moves, and reflects the chapter she lived through.
“Chapter Vegas” marks a unique span of life for Michelle Ann Owens. She stepped into unfamiliar territory, absorbed its chaos and color, and turned it into a body of work that stands apart from anything she created before. The album preserves a moment when she caught herself in transition and found a new sense of direction through the process. The chapter may be almost closed, but the confidence and clarity she gained from it will shape every step she takes next.
Listen to “Chapter Vegas” out now: