Jan Edwards Reigns Supreme With Spooky New Album, "Queen Of Mean"

Minneapolis-born singer-songwriter and fusion artist Jan Edwards conjures up a wickedly fun Halloween-themed album with her latest release, Queen Of Mean.

This genre-bending artist is best known for her unique fusion of country, jazz, pop, folk, and blues. Edwards' songwriting chops have already earned her a #1 hit on the Texas charts and film, TV, and advertising placements. Now based in Naples, FL, she's ready to bewitch listeners with her most haunting project yet.

Queen Of Mean is a 7-track journey into Halloween's eerie and whimsical world, showcasing Edwards' imaginative narratives that range from quirky to spine-chilling. Released just in time for the spooky season, this album promises to be the perfect soundtrack for those who like their music with a side of chills and thrills.

From the first track, "House On Haunted Hill," Edwards sets the tone with an atmospheric blend of screams, creepy sound effects, and spooky melodies. Her vocals float effortlessly between playful and ominous, drawing listeners into the house on Haunted Hill, where anything can happen. "Goblin Goulash" serves up a more tender and melodic sound, almost a chant for witches, as they drop ingredients into their cauldrons for one hell of a party.

The title track, "Queen Of Mean," is a standout. It features Edwards at her most delightfully wicked as she embraces the role of October's villainess. This bouncy, fun pop song is the Halloween anthem we never knew we needed. In contrast, "House Of Ghosts" takes a more serious turn, with haunting harmonies and ethereal instrumentals that give you goosebumps.

The album's versatility shines through in tracks like "Season Of Demons," which could easily score a retro horror flick. The plucky electric guitars and tender bass licks make it one of the grooviest songs on the album—reminiscent of Donovan's 1966 hit, "Season of the Witch."

In "Midnight Snack," Jan blesses us with an expansive, atmospheric, and chilling listening experience that invites someone special to dance with Edwards for all of eternity. It's haunting, sensual, eerie, and packed with stellar production that sends chills down the spine. Edwards closes the album with "Not Today Satan," a more playful Halloween anthem that blends humor with a touch of the ghastly—pushing Satan away and everything he stands for.

Without a doubt, Queen Of Mean explores every facet of October, and Jan Edwards' theatrical performance stylings make it one of the most immersive Halloween albums we've ever heard.

Welcome spooky season with open arms and hit play on Jan Edwards' new album, Queen Of Mean, now available on all major streaming platforms.

Welcome back to Buzz, Jan! We're loving the spooky vibes of Queen Of Mean. What inspired you to create an entire album around Halloween?

I love creating the spooky vibes. Last fall, I released an album called “DARK,” where I plunged deep into the depths of the human psyche. When there are “no rules,” you can go anywhere with writing a song. Plus, I think I have a little wicked side, too.

Queen Of Mean ranges from quirky fun to genuinely eerie. How did you approach balancing these different moods throughout the tracklist?

I love experimenting. My coworkers and I have so much fun writing together, and we let our imaginations go wild. The “Queen of Mean,” however, was a solo writer, and that’s when I got to be really creative.

"Queen Of Mean" is our favorite track from the project. Can you tell us more about the character you embody in this song?

This “Queen” embodies the baddie in all of us! I love painting pictures with my songs and visualize a music video in my head when I write. She is the mistress of the night that struts down dark streets looking for her next victim. She taunts and teases, and lures the weak into her control, never to be the same again.

Your genre-bending style really shines on this album. What or who were some of your biggest influences when creating Queen Of Mean?

Honestly, there wasn’t any one influence. But of course, I love some of the old Billie Eilish songs like Bad Guy, Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat, and maybe even the darker side of Taylor Swift. All of my songs give a wink and a nod to the classic Halloween song, “Monster Mash.” But I like to create my unique style, and I give a lot of credit to my producer/engineer, Nate Cornell, for bringing my songs to life with his impressive tracks.

Do you have a favorite song from 'Queen Of Mean?' What makes that song so special to you?

I love QOM so much. But I love every track for different reasons. The House of Ghosts is almost kid-like, with a fun, unexpected quirkiness in the chorus. The House on Haunted Hill was inspired by the campy 1959 horror flick with Vincent Price. Goblin Goulash was born from a simple guitar lick my cowriter came into the write with. I saw the whole scene of a witch stirring a bubbling cauldron of green stew, again quirky and kid-like.

Midnight Snack is another one like the Queen of Mean, with an adult, sophisticated darkness…sexy, quirky, and creepy. Not Today, Satan takes a moral high ground but still manages to be dark and commanding. The Season of Demons is almost a jazzy take on Halloween. It reminds me of the classic song “Spooky” by the Atlantic Rhythm Section.

Season of Demons will have you tapping your toes and sharpening your claws. All these songs are meant to bring out the little demon in us, nostalgic Halloween haunted house parties, and how we all felt when we were kids trick or treating. Maybe my album will bring Halloween back!

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