Rachael Sage

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Character

MPress, 2020

9/10

Listen to Character

The New York songstress Rachael Sage has been making quite a name for herself, racking up plenty of awards while creating well received indie-pop and folk across over a dozen albums. On this installment, Sage pens a listen about her journey through cancer, and much like her past work it’s crafted precisely and with plenty of charm.

“Blue Sky Days” gets the listen off to a key friendly start as soft, smooth vocals accompany the soothing, upbeat indie-pop, and this continues to the elegant “Bravery’s On Fire”, as well as the string friendly “Both Hands”, where Sage reinvents an Ani DiFranco tune in her own artistic vision.

Deeper into the listen, “Cave” offers a quiet moment with vivid storytelling while “Open The Door” displays Sage’s strong vocal prowess alongside breezy melodies. One of the best tracks comes near the end as “Be The Same” flows with bare beauty and sophisticated musicianship, though the alt-rock flavored title track is a close second. “Catch The Light” exits the listen with an orchestral backdrop as layered vocals complement the agile setting.

Certainly a darker version of Sage than we’re used to, considering the subject matter its seems appropriate, though it’s no less creative, articulate and poetic. Now cancer free, Character is a career standout in a very luminous catalog as Sage takes up help from her touring band The Sequins on this often intimate body of work.

Travels well with: Ani DiFranco- Allergic To Water; Peter Mulvey- There Is Another World