LYRIC NOEL Releases New Single "Shades of Black" via Judge & Jury Records

Lyric Noel officially enters a new chapter with the release of “Shades of Black,” their first single in partnership with Judge & Jury Records. With this release, Lyric Noel sets out to openly confront mental disorders—bringing deeply personal experiences into the spotlight rather than keeping them hidden.

“Shades of Black” arrives alongside an accompanying music video and serves as the second entry in a larger conceptual body of work. The first single, "Blood in the Water," released independently in September of 2025.

Lyric Noel’s forthcoming album, due later this year, explores different mental disorders, with each release unveiling a new chapter of the story. Every song introduces a distinct character, each one personifying a specific disorder, gradually revealing the full scope of the album.

“‘Shades of Black’ explores the emotional extremes of living with borderline personality disorder and suicidal ideation, where the world is perceived not in absolutes but in shifting shades of darkness. The song centers on the symbolism of the Black Dahlia, representing death, depression, and the contradiction of beauty existing in pain. Rather than offering resolution, ‘Shades of Black’ gives voice to an often unseen internal battle and creates recognition for those who live inside it," shares the band.

Judge & Jury Records—founded by multi-platinum producer Howard Benson and Neil Sanderson of Three Days Grace—bring decades of industry success and a global following to the project. The label is known for pairing elite-level production, songwriting, and artist development with powerful promotional reach, making Lyric Noel’s debut a significant moment for both artist and label.

STREAM "Shades of Black" https://ffm.to/shadesofblack

Lyric Noel is built around personifying Lyric Hollar’s lived experience with different mental illnesses and emotional struggles. This project exists to say the things people are usually expected to carry quietly, the intrusive thoughts, the instability, the exhaustion of trying to appear okay. Lyric writes from inside that reality, not from metaphor or distance, turning pain into something raw, visible, and honest. The work does not soften or romanticize struggle, but it does make it beautiful in its truth, giving listeners language and reflection for experiences they already know but rarely hear spoken out loud.

Before releasing original material, Lyric Noel began by sharing covers online, quickly building an audience drawn to the band’s reinterpretations. One pivotal moment came with a metal version of “Carol of the Bells,” which went viral shortly after release. The band quickly realized the song’s origin as a Ukrainian folk composition. The song was shared by the Ukranian government official social media pages during the Russia Ukraine war. After that, the band decided to release a full version of the song. The video is at over 2 million views.

Alongside guitarist, primary composer, and producer Russell Hollar, guitarist Robby Gray, and drummer Jerrin Castillo, the project blends heavy, atmospheric, and alternative elements into music and visuals that match the weight of Lyric’s message. That honesty has connected with more than a million people across social platforms and is now entering its next chapter through a new partnership with Judge and Jury Records. Lyric Noel’s message is not built on image or trend, but on lived truth, emotional visibility, and the courage to anthropomorphize these intense emotions.