Shaznay Lewis releases her eagerly anticipated debut album 'Open' on July 19th on London Records. The luscious, lovelorn single 'Never Felt Like This Before' precedes 'Open' with its July 5th release date.

Motivated by the old reggae and Motown records she has filled her home with, 'Open' is Shaznay at her most fearless, embracing anthemic, classic pop like 'Never Felt Like This Before', the old-school funk of 'Dance', beautifully stripped down ballads like 'You', even Jamaican-inspired dance in the brilliantly indignant 'Mr Dawg'. 'Open' is an album that is never afraid to experiment but is always intensely intimate, a chance for Shaznay to reveal herself and her fascination with the process of creating music. Subsequently, she grabbed the chance to work with some of her musical heroes. Old school hip hop star Biz Markie features on one song, Primal Scream played on another and superstar producer Trevor Jackson (remixer for the likes of Massive Attack and Death In Vegas) took the controls on two tracks. Shaznay also worked with legendary production team Bacon and Quarmby who she first discovered playing the first Finlay Quaye album to death on holiday, and collaborated with dance stars Basement Jaxx.

Immediately after All Saints split, Shaznay retreated into the studio and started writing songs. By her own admission, she initially struggled with the change from writing for a group to writing for herself. Nevertheless recharged with time out of the spotlight (which included a small role in the hit movie 'Bend It Like Beckham'), the breakthrough came with 'Never Felt Like This Before'.

'By that point I was ready to record and have a good time,' she says. 'We were buzzing in the studio. Everyone I worked with was so enthusiastic about what we were doing and nothing was premeditated. It's just been one big jam.'