Rock goddess Lita Ford is finally back with some bad ass new music following her lackluster 2009 effort Wicked Wonderland. The first single from her upcoming album Living Like A Runaway represents a return to form for Ford. The track “Branded” packs quite a kick in the face with heavy riffage and aggressive vocals from the queen of hard rock.

This song feels far more inspired than her previous effort. It contains shades of that teenage angst we got from The Runaways in 1976. This is a pivotal and exciting time for Ford musically. She has been going through an ugly divorce with Jim Gillette and you certainly feel some of those painful emotions on “Branded.” Writing new hard rock music must be especially therapeutic for Lita.

Living Like A Runaway hits stores June 19 on Steamhammer/SPV. “Branded” is currently streaming at Noise Creep. Go have a listen for yourself and you’ll see what I mean.