The New Rules

Released in 1986 on Rounder Records, The New Rules marked a significant return to form for Irma Thomas, the 'Soul Queen of New Orleans.' After a period of relative obscurity in the 1970s, this album helped re-establish her as a premier interpreter of soul and blues for a new generation. Produced by Scott Billington, the record strikes a delicate balance between the classic New Orleans R&B sound of her early career and the more polished production values of the 1980s. Unlike many of her peers who struggled with the transition to digital production, Thomas maintained her artistic integrity by sticking to live-feeling arrangements and analog warmth. The tracklist features a mix of originals and well-chosen covers, including a definitive soul reading of 'The Wind Beneath My Wings' and the heart-wrenching 'Gonna Cry ’til My Tears Run Dry.' The album was critically acclaimed for its maturity and vocal restraint, cementing Thomas's legacy as a resilient icon of American roots music.