Extraordinary
Self-Released, 2023
9/10
The thoughtful songstress Katie Callahan returns with a 2nd studio album, where themes of desire, loss, grief, anxiety and forgiveness and how it relates to feminine strength unfold with some excellent musicians on hand.
“The Undertaker’s Daughter” gets the listen off to a very warm start, where Callahan’s gorgeous voice is met with Daniel Sousa’s fluid drums and Charlie Lowell’s well timed keys for the dreamy climate, and “Once At A Wedding” follows with Lindsey Miller’s cozy guitars and Megan Coleman’s crisp drums complementing the expressive singing.
“Love Song For A Best Friend” arrives in the middle and uses Hannah Holbrook’s mature keys precisely for the rich delivery, while “Extraordinary” leads with a calm intimacy before building into a pop fueled, emotive album highlight. The final track, “There You Are”, makes great use of Luke Sullivant’s precise bass playing amid Callahan’s poetic singing.
A listen rooted in Americana and folk sounds, but that also involves synth, Callahan’s storytelling is as substantial as the music, and every track here is worth examining repeatedly.
Travels well with: Run Katie Run- Cowboy Boots With Fishnet Tights; Rachel McIntyre Smith- Glory Daze