Lea Michele has revealed that losing boyfriend Cory Monteith last summer changed the musical direction of her debut album, Louder.

“I set out to make a really pop-heavy album that was fun and empowering—I love Katy Perry and Kelly Clarkson!" she told Seventeen magazine.

"But then I found myself picking and writing these songs that were very emotional and dramatic. Louder has songs that express extreme love and some pain.”

[related]“I look at it and think, that was my year. I didn't record any songs that I didn't completely relate to."

Glee co-star Cory tragically died of a drugs overdose last July in Canada.

But Lea explains: “I only have happy memories of Cory. He was not his addiction - unfortunately, it won. But that wasn't who he was."

"Cory made me feel like a queen every day. From the minute he said, 'I'm your boyfriend,' I loved every day, and I thank him for being the best boyfriend and making me feel so beautiful."

And the Cannonball singer also added that she has taken it upon herself to keep Cory’s memory alive: "I also feel an incredible, happy responsibility to keep the memory and light of [Cory, who] was the most amazing person.”

“I'm so happy to make it my journey now to continue on and live my life as best as I can."