Though her biggest hits as an artist came in the 1980s (“Baby I Lied,” “I’ve Been Wrong Before”) Deborah Allen is well-versed in the country sound of the 1990s, having written songs recorded by ’90s staples LeAnn Rimes, Brooks & Dunn and Patty Loveless, among others.

The majority of Deborah’s new album, including her current single, “Anything Other Than Love,” is a refreshing throwback for those who enjoyed the sounds blaring from country radio in the ’90s. Hear Me Now marks her first release of new music since 2009’s acoustic offering, Deb in the Raw.

Throughout the new release, Deborah’s signature sassy lyrics and introspective songwriting take center stage. She balances ballads with heavy doses of honky-tonk on “Never Gonna Run Out of Love,” “What Makes a Woman” and the flirty “It Better Be Big,” but what’s more commanding is her smoky, Heidi Newfield-esque voice, which soars and aches on “Deeper Waters,” and even ventures into Celine Dion-lite territory on “I Want You.”