Watch: Galactic and Irma Thomas Preview Collaborative Album ‘Audience With The Queen’ with “Lady Liberty” Single and Music Video

Today, Jan. 17, New Orleans icons Galactic and Irma Thomas have finally detailed their long-awaited collaboration with the announcement of Audience With The Queen. Set to release on April 11 via Galactic’s own Tchuop-Zilla Records, the combo’s first full-length team effort marks a bold departure for all parties as they pool their expertise for a new potent and prescient soul-funk sound. To preview the project, the jam-funk ensemble and legendary Soul Queen of New Orleans have shared the lead single “Lady Liberty,”

While Galactic’s 10 previous studio offerings have centered the instrumental quintet of Ben Ellman, Robert Mercurio, Stanton Moore, Jeff Raines and Rich Vogel alongside rotating guest vocalists, Audience With The Queen takes a sharp turn with contributions from Thomas on all nine tracks. Beyond her tremendous vocal talents, the Grammy-winning icon worked closely with saxophonist Ellman and bassist Mercurio to write and refine eight brand-new songs for their collaboration.

The uncommon wisdom Thomas brought to her lyrics and performances is apparent in “Lady Liberty,” a powerful reflection on unspoken injustice. At the hook, the six-decade figurehead for New Orleans R&B sings, “Another black man shot down last night and they keep adding up/ Is this the world that we’re living in? The one we raise our children in?/ Lord save us all, Lady Liberty took a fall.”

“It’s about what’s happening now,” Thomas reflected in a press release, “and now isn’t going anywhere. No protesting is involved, it’s just that what’s happening around us needs to be sung about and heard. I’m making people more aware, through song, to pay attention to what’s going on.”

“The music is super funky on this track but I was also really excited to hear Irma Thomas tackle lyrics about such important social issues,” Mercurio detailed. “The subject matter is a departure for her. She gave me goosebumps when we were recording this song in the studio. Hearing a person of her stature sing about social injustice in America really hits home for me.”

“Irma puts so much energy and heart into her vocal performance on ‘Lady Liberty’ that it makes the lyrics’ message that much more powerful,” Ellman echoes. “You can hear this strength in her tone that just insists we have to look seriously at what’s been happening around us and take a stand for justice. I also love hearing her interpret a song that’s not about love or relationships. It’s different from what people may associate her music with but Irma’s voice is incredibly versatile.”

Audience With The Queen is available to pre-order and pre-save now. Stream “Lady Liberty” here, and watch a behind-the-scenes studio music video recorded at New Orleans’ hallowed Esplanade Studio below. For more information on Galactic and their 2025 tour itinerary, visit galacticfunk.com.

Read on for the full tracklist of Audience With The Queen.

Audience With The Queen – Galactic and Irma Thomas:

1. How Glad I Am

2. Where I Belong

3. Love’s Gonna Find A Way Again

4. Lady Liberty

5. Puppet on Your String

6. Peace in my Heart

7. People

8. Over You

9. Be Your Lady