North Star
Self-Released, 2025
8/10
The Minneapolis indie-fok artist and multi-instrumentalist Kaitlin Cassady returns with a sophomore album, where jazz and pop ideas enter the 10 timeless and relatable tracks.
The graceful keys of “Evermore” opens the listen with Cassady’s stunning and emotive voice guiding the soft melodies, and “Golden Hour” follows with flowing piano alongside Milo Weil’s well timed cello.
The middle track belongs to “Shadow”, where a gentle and poetic ambience unfolds thanks to the light keys and layered vocals, while the title track is a dreamy moment of hushed and stirring song craft.
“Past, Present, Future” and “Save My Life” exit the listen. The former lands in piano balladry and tugs on the heartstrings, and the latter follows a similar approach via the lovely singing and mature keys.
A confessional and forthright effort, Cassady also takes help from Paul Cassady’s sparing but impactful bass for this soulful and harmonic peek into themes of love, grief, joy and trauma.
Travels well with: Mary Strand- I Don’t Need Your Permission; Pam Linton- Songs Of The Carter Family