Laura Leighe's “Thunder” Drips with Divine Timing

If tropical vibes and holy fire had a baby, it would sound a lot like Thunder by Laura Leighe. This isn’t your average beach-pop ditty; it’s a bold, sun-drenched, reggae-infused banger made to crush doubts and uplift underdogs. And let’s be clear: it’s got range. One minute you're vibing on a hammock in Venice Beach, the next you're getting goosebumps thinking about angel armies and NBA wins. That’s the wild, God-touched universe Laura Leighe just cracked open.

So what is “Thunder”? At surface level, it’s a feel-good, radio-ready jam that could sit comfortably between Magic! and Gwen Stefani on your summer playlist. But peel it back, and it’s an anthem for anyone who’s been counted out and come back swinging, backed by something bigger. Written with a dream team of LA creatives (shoutout to DreeMon, AJ Arroyo, and Sciarra Music), Thunder was literally manifested into ESPN rotation before it was ever officially released. That’s not hype. That’s hustle and holy alignment.

Sound-wise? Think Ace of Base vibes get a modern lift with crisp reggae-pop production courtesy of Kent Murphy (aka ayekplaydat) and Leighe’s husband Trent Stockton. It’s beachy, bouncy, and spiritually buoyant, with lyrics that straddle commercial appeal and deeper revelation. Lines like “I feel the thunder” hit different when you realize she’s not just talking about a basketball team, but a divine force moving through you.

And yeah, about timing? Leighe held this track back until it felt right. Now, in the wake of the Oklahoma City Thunder's jaw-dropping championship win, this track isn’t just on-point, it’s prophetic. It’s like God hit play on her life and said, watch this.

Thunder is more than a song. It’s a full-circle moment. A love letter to perseverance. A flex for the faithful. A spiritual hype track for anyone who’s been waiting on their moment and is ready to stomp into it, divinely backed and reggae-blessed. If you're into songs that feel like a sun-soaked sermon and a victory parade, go stream Thunder.

“Thunder” has this wild full-circle energy. From writing it with ESPN in mind to it actually landing on a Thunder broadcast. When did you realize this song was something bigger than just a catchy tune?

Haha, it really does…absolutely crazy that in the writing session, we decided to go sporty, then narrowed down the concept to the Thunder direction, and all envisioned it landing on ESPN or even for the OKC Thunder. I felt that it could be something possibly bigger than anything I’d previously done when listening to the original demo in the car…the way I was able to deliver the vocal we wrote. All of it just felt very cool and super commercial and powerful. Still, it wasn’t until I looked at my ASCAP royalty statements a couple of years later, and saw “ESPN on ABC cues” …AND for the “OKC Thunder” broadcast nonetheless, that it was truly clear to me that it was indeed bigger than your average catchy tune…and that was truly mind blowing!! What an actualization! Incredible to truly see a clear vision we all had come to life like that! It’s such a blessing and dream come true, especially now that we’ve released it, to even be associated at all with such an iconic moment for our city, that the whole nation and even world are watching!

You describe this version of “Thunder” as your ‘dream reggae-pop version.’ What was missing before, and what made it finally feel like you?

The original version was awesome, but it was written and produced to be as mentioned, a sporty anthem with commercial appeal, and very broad in pop style. It worked well for landing on ESPN, but it didn’t fit the genre I was releasing at the time, which was electro swing pop. 

I loved creating and innovating the new style we were working on, but once the album was released, I was ready to make something more true to my genuine self…something I would listen to non-stop, especially living the Venice Beach lifestyle! I have been obsessed with reggae and beach pop for most of my life, but it felt like there weren’t very many female artists represented in the genre. I really wanted to make this song something I would be motivated to run and / or party on the beach to!! So it’s been a dream to work with AyeKPlayDat (who actually produced the electro swing pop UK Music Week and US Billboard dance chart hit song “Boys Just Wanna Have Fun” in 2015 with me) and my husband, Trent, to make that a reality. Taking inspiration from my faves from childhood til now, Gwen Stefani, Ace of Base, Stick Figure, Tribal Seeds, and Magic!, we were able to create something I think is really new, fresh, energetic, and innovative. Once I got the final mix back from Kent’s brother, Greene Murphy, it made me say words I try not to say, it felt so freaking fire, and just slapped so hard, lol. Couldn’t wait to get it out in time for this killer Thunder season to start really cooking!

There’s a strong spiritual current running through your music. How do you balance creating something commercially viable with something that also reflects your faith?

I released my first album in 2009 under my maiden name, Laura Gossett, before moving to LA, which was a collection of Christian and pop crossover songs in a piano pop rock style. I truly have two sides to me…a very fun side that loves to dance, is constantly at Zumba class shaking it to the latest pop, hip hop and reggaeton hits, as well as a much deeper, spiritual side that is fueled by lyrics that hit right in your soul, and move and encourage you with a lasting impact. 

I am so blessed to have had the opportunity and experience of living in LA for 10 years, writing and creating with some of the most phenomenally talented writers and producers…and it was truly an education in how to make amazing, commercial music. Yet, a lot felt missing for me with the song catalogue I was building. Though I had a lot of questions and issues with some Christians and some Christian music, I was feeling a strong call to not run from my original calling I answered at age 14. I was also tired of filtering my lyrics to be super pop and commercial. Thus, taking a break and having my girls from 2020 to 24, plus moving back home to OK really helped get me back to myself, and closer to God and my family than ever, and from that wellspring of life, the true lyrics He puts on my heart to share with a world that needs them just flow. 

I think the balance comes from continuing to be inspired by whatever music lights my fire, and fervently seeking out the best new music and inspirations for my sound, then just listening close to God’s heart to fill them in with the right substance.

You've lived that slow-burn artist life, holding onto songs, waiting for divine timing. What advice would you give to artists struggling with the pressure to constantly release?

I’d say, of course, in a perfect world, artists would release a song a month or so, in all seasons…but the world is not perfect, and seasons are for a…reason. Haha. No, but for real…I was reminded recently by another artist that a tree doesn’t consistently produce good fruit, but only in its season. I think that’s important to remember, bc you can stress about hitting the calendar goals all the time, with no breaks, but…how good will the product be if you don’t take time to relax and actually live your life and enjoy those around you and catch some experiences to write about…? 

And also…not many of us always have the kind of time, money, energy, and inspiration to constantly create and put out our best work. It takes SO much of yourself. Physical and mental energy and clarity…freedom with your time, and lots of financial support and sacrifice, either from you, or your fans (which requires more time and organization as an independent artist), so truly, it’s not always possible or smart to constantly be releasing music if the time isn’t right. 

My advice is not to worry too much about the timeline. Work as hard as you can when you can to make great music and put it out, but for me, listening for God’s direction in when to take a break, receive the greatest blessings of my life, my precious girls, and getting to actually enjoy them and learn to be a good parent, and better spouse every day, has been way more beautiful and fulfilling than not skipping another record that fades with time. 

Listening to the spirit has truly led me to create when my husband and I were both ready and at our best, and release the songs in my catalogue at the PERFECT time!

You’ve called “Thunder” both a sports anthem and a spiritual one. What’s the one lyric or moment in the song that captures both of those energies for you?

Oh man, there is more than one actually!! Lol The chorus lyrics “Thunder, in your eyes… can’t feel the ground, ground” “under the lightning, can’t touch me now” is inspired by many passages in the Bible, but one awesome one is in Daniel 10:5 that describes what most scholars believe to be the angel Gabriel having a face like lighting, eyes like flaming torches, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. I love that image of the absolutely beyond electric power of the Holy Spirit and the heavenly armies protecting us all the time, and giving us divine power to fulfill our purpose. 

It’s an easy and powerful sports analogy as well, bc these incredible athletes that work so hard and sacrifice their lives to have the kind of seemingly superhuman strength in which they “can’t feel the ground” is an amazing image, especially with a slam dunk to win the series in the front of your mind! 

Another one is in the second verse… "we’re resounding the lion’s roar, nothing can stop us,” the lion of course being the lion of Judah. So I believe, with that kind of true power, we can all be superheroes…especially when we come together and work as a team. Nothing can stop us!