2013 Toyota Star Maker Winner, Kaylee Bell, will release her sophomore album, HeartFirst, on Friday, July 5.

Far more than mere tales of life, love and living in the moment, the songs comprising HeartFirst are a bold mirror of self. The 12 fresh, melody-heavy tracks are a window to the essence of a young woman, keen to rejoice and reflect in equal share. ''I'm really excited for people to hear it,'' said Kaylee. ''It really showcases me vocally and I think it reflects a lot more of me. It's a big step up. I feel really proud of it.''

HeartFirst is the major prize for Kaylee, having been crowned the 2013 Toyota Star Maker winner during the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January. Since the win, life has been hectic for the young New Zealand native. Working with producer Andrew Cochrane, Kaylee was adamant in creating an album which spoke loud to her generation.

''We both had a similar vision and he got my direction from the start,'' Kaylee said of Cochrane. ''We just clicked and I love all of the new songs. I really wanted to appeal to my own age group. Back home, I've got a lot of friends that love my stuff and I wanted to open some more ears of my generation to country music who don't get a chance to listen to it as much.''

The result sees Kaylee adopt a contemporary sound, with lashings of pop infused throughout. The album contains a mix of carefully selected tracks from a who's who of writers, five of which also bare Kaylee's name. One of which she is most proud is “Breathless”, which she penned with Brooke McClymont.

''Six years ago, when I came to Tamworth for the first time, I fell in love with what they [The McClymonts] did and what they represented,'' Kaylee said. ''I've wanted to work with them forever. It's a different sort of a track, almost like a Johnny Cash sort of thing. Travis Toy from Rascal Flatts, who I got to meet in Nashville, played [pedal steel] all over it with his master fingers.''

“Little Bit Small Town”, a Kaylee co-write with Mike Carr, is also special. ''I am really small town,'' Kaylee laughed. ''I know who I am and where I'm from. There's something about growing up in a place where you get the chance to be a kid; I think you appreciate a lot more. It's important for me to have something on the album that represents where I come from.''

“Just A Little Crazy”, written by former Star Maker winner Kylie Sackley, together with Kelleigh Bannen and Billy Montana, also spoke to Kaylee. ''The title could be read in so many different ways,'' she said. ''I like the fact that it's a really positive kind of thing where the guy is crazy about the girl - which is really what we all want. I love the quirkiness of it.''

While pleased with all of the new material, Kaylee says her favourite track is the Mallary Hope/Skip Black penned “Falling”. ''Mallory Hope has always been a favourite of mine as a writer,'' Kaylee said. ''When I first heard it, everything just sounded right. I love the way Andrew has produced it, the way it builds up to the chorus and just kicks.''

Kaylee’s is the 18th career that Toyota has specifically assisted through Star Maker, along with the company's massive support of country music in general. Toyota celebrated 20 years of country music support in January 2013, by assuming the name sponsorship of the Tamworth Festival.

[video]http://youtu.be/WKO7JHINQ3Y[/video]