Paula Cole Admits She ‘Was Cringing Hard’ While Looking Back at Some of Her Decades-Old Demos for New Album (Exclusive)

**Paula Cole Releases New Album, ‘Sonic Memoir: Demos 1989-1998’—A Journey Through Her Early Work**

Paula Cole, the acclaimed singer-songwriter known for her hit “I Don’t Want to Wait,” has treated fans to a nostalgic experience with the release of her latest album, *Sonic Memoir: Demos 1989-1998*. This expansive collection includes 63 songs, comprising previously unreleased tracks and early demos from her formative years as an artist.

The album serves as a reflection of Cole’s artistic evolution, illustrating her unique style and growth prior to her mainstream breakthrough. Cole describes this project as both a tribute to her supporters and a heartfelt nod to her mentors, alongside a reflection on her younger self.

The genesis of this comprehensive album can be traced back to a deeply personal moment for Cole, following the passing of her friend and mentor, Mark Hutchins. As she sifted through old analogue tapes to digitise their work together, she was astounded by the volume of music they had produced, which spurred her to curate a playlist from nearly 100 unreleased recordings.

Reflecting on this experience, the 58-year-old artist revealed, “Sitting with all this music, I just intuitively started culling and listening and taking notes. It formed into this playlist.” She recognised the opportunity to share her story and decided to develop the expansive selection into an album. “It all organically coalesced. It wasn’t a master plan. It was gestational, totally natural,” she explained.

Cole’s *Sonic Memoir: Demos 1989-1998* encapsulates a wealth of her musical journey, showcasing tracks that range from unreleased songs to early versions of some of her most popular hits. However, revisiting this older material prompted a mixed bag of emotions.

“There are cheesy keyboard sounds from the ‘80s and ‘90s,” she noted. “There are out-of-tune moments that you can’t fix with AutoTune like you can today. It shows the process of an artist.” She described the process of digging through these old recordings as occasionally cringeworthy but ultimately enlightening. “I was struck by how prolific I was and how eccentric I was. Unfiltered and free,” Cole reflected.

Throughout her career, she credits a group of “gentlemen” who have supported her creative process—from her long-time drummer, Jay Bellerose, to guitarist Gerry Leonard and the late Hutchins. Their encouragement and belief in her artistic vision were instrumental in crafting the demos that would later be part of this album. “They all really believed in me and helped me make these demos. I owe a lot of gratitude to these incredible gentlemen,” Cole explained.

As she shared this album with the world, Cole expressed a desire to honour both her core fans and the early versions of herself. “The songs are like an oral autobiography,” she said. “If you’re going to get nostalgic, I feel like this was a good way to honour my fans.” The variety in the collection—half demo tracks and half never-before-heard songs—affords listeners a comprehensive glimpse into her artistic journey.

Cole emphasised that revisiting earlier work isn’t something new for her, acknowledging the anxiety that can come with exposing older creations to a contemporary audience. “You just can’t care too much what people think,” she advised. “If you’re going to be in this difficult business, you have to do it for the love of it.”

In her reflections on her early songwriting, Cole acknowledged the social responsibility that comes with creating music. Inspired by artists such as Nina Simone and Joni Mitchell, she expressed her appreciation for the deep connections between her songs and broader societal issues. “I’ve always felt it’s a privilege to make music,” Cole affirmed. “There is some responsibility in it.”

Looking back on her younger self who created these songs, she fondly recalled the “eccentric person that was really wild and free.” Cole is dedicated to reconnecting with that spirit, drawing inspiration from her past work while also forging ahead into new artistic ventures.

*From poignant introspections to her more eccentric sound, Paula Cole’s *Sonic Memoir: Demos 1989-1998* is more than just an album; it encapsulates the essence of her evolution as an artist, providing fans with a heartfelt glimpse into her journey of self-discovery. The album is now available, offering listeners a unique opportunity to experience the unfiltered creativity that defined her earlier years.*