After a four-year hiatus, Michelle Bonilla will release her sophomore studio effort entitled In Spite of Me, April 13th on RockSoul Productions. The 16 track cd, produced by Lee Jerkins has strong infusions of R&B, pop and Latin melodies featuring Jamaican gospel recording artist Chevelle Franklin, and gospel hip-hop artists Lecrae, Flame, and R-Swift.

"My music is a blend of who I am culturally—urban, Latin, rock and soul," says Bonilla.

The first single, I Love You, is a fun anthem-like song. According to Bonilla, "It’s a new way to praise without the traditional flare."  It’s also the cry of her heart when it comes to how she feels about God.

That's What Love Is, the second single, is a cool mid-tempo groove that explains that Jesus is the answer, More than any diamonds you can buy me/ I want a love that can't be measured by things/I want a perfect unconditional love/jesus is where you'll find unconditional love.  " The idea of true love has been so blurred by society’s mundane and selfish values that they’ve sold a lie to girls everywhere, and the saddest part is that the girls believe it," says Bonilla.  "I wanted them to see what true love looks like, and that it’s nothing like what they’ve seen or heard on TV or radio."

Dim lights

The up-beat title track, In Spite of Me, co-written by Bonilla, is filled with Christ-centered lyrics where the theme talks about a perfect God and an imperfect humanity, while the dance tune Give It Up will keep you moving and praising God.

You is a personal favorite of Michelle's. "It says everything I feel when I just can’t seem to get it together. When my world is going crazy I don’t need nobody else I need You.”

Persevere is a Tina Turner/Skillet rock out song.  Bonilla says "the lyrics are very real and they talk about real life issues. It’s my way of saying hey, life is not simple it has its crazy moments but we will persevere through Christ Jesus.”

Other standout tracks include the beautiful ballads Eres El Rey(spanish for "You Are The King"), I Am, and My Story.

No stranger to the industry Bonilla has performed in the company of artists as Crystal Lewis, Nicole Mullen, Out Of Eden, and Papa San, and has been featured on Cross Movement’s Grammy and Dove nominated album “Higher Definition.”