Goapele's released her new single "Hey Boy," boasting tinges of Luther Vandross' "Never Too Much" and her own velvety vocals.

The song, off of her upcoming fall release Strong As Glass, is a risk for her, thanks to its uptempo melody that the singer credits to producer Keith Harris and co-writer Estelle.

"I barely ever do anything uptempo," she told BET.com. "That was the ‘Hey Boy’ opportunity and Keith Harris is a phenomenal producer and has done a lot of work with Estelle. They started this vibe off and I felt like I was lucky enough to join on."

The feel-good cut sees Goapele temporarily ditch her usual vulnerable persona for a more outgoing attitude, playing the role of the aggressor in pursuing a man who insists on playing it cool. "You want it, and you know what to do/ I'm not trying to wait around," she sings over the groovy beat.

"I'm much more subtle," she said. "I feel like often I say things in songs that I don't say in real life, and as an artist, that's been kind of my escape and release."

Dubbing her new sound as "more in your face," Goapele feels confident about her project, her fourth full-length studio album. She credits her success to her humble beginnings and the authenticity of her music.

"[It's] luck [and] connecting with my audience," she said. "I started out independently and it was very grassroots and I was doing just honest songs and talking about my life and putting it on the table."

Though she's taken the independent route with her own career, this has not hindered her from indulging in more mainstream acts. Ranging from Beyoncé to Al Green, Goapele personally enjoys a little bit of everything.

"I like to hear a variety of things," she said. "I also really enjoy the Alice Smith album that she just put out. Beyoncé, Drake… I still bump 'em. ScHoolboy Q, Al Green, Nina Simone."

With this newfound confidence paired with a sleek look — have you seen her flawless single cover? — Goapele is ready for her reintroduction. "I want to keep evolving… I just feel a little bolder and I'm more in the mind frame of seizing the moment and rising to the occasion every time."

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(Photo: Primary Wave Records)