Albums: Sara Bareilles Good Grief

Sara Bareilles Good Grief

Tracks: Home, Just A Kid, Still Crying, A Love Story, Hands Off My Body, Ladies In A Line, Heartland, Capsize Me, Nervous Breakdown, Idiot Heart, Say Leave, Salt The Sour Then Sweet (ft. Brandi Carlile), Forever, Wind Is The Weather

Label: Epic Records

Sara Bareilles last released a studio album in 2019. Amidst The Chaos became her sixth Top 10 album in the US and earned her a Grammy Award for the song Saint Honesty. In the UK the response was a little more muted, with a chart position of #82, although proving her most popular release since the #9 charting Little Voice in 2007. Since the album, Bareilles has enjoyed success on Broadway, in the West End and, of course, as Dawn on the hit musical comedy series Girls5eva. However, fans will be pleased to know that Bareilles is finally back with her seventh studio album, Good Grief.

Written and recording during COVID-19, Bareilles is in a very reflective mood as she tries to understand the world that surrounds her. As she explores the notion of loss, grief, heartbreak and personal breakdowns, she delivers what many may see as an introspective record but in reality is based on the stories of those she knows and those she has read. And the real beauty of this record is that she showcases such deep empathy that they feel so true to her that it is impossible not to connect with the depth of emotion showcased.

Opening the album is a song inspired by Anderson Cooper and Stephen Colbert, who both lost their fathers at the age of 10. Home is tender, raw and emotional. It sets the tone faultlessly for the album that follows. Along a very similar line is the truly lush A Love Story. Really exploring the notion of true love and loss, this showcases the perfect balance between the strength of Bareilles pop abilities and her musical theatre writing prowess.

In a similar vein, Ladies In A Line comes very close to the level of the spine-tingling beauty of She Used To Be Mine. Having really showcased her faultless ability to hit you at your very core in that key song from her hit musical, Waitress, Ladies In A Line proves itself effortlessly to be the perfect centre piece and emotional crux in this body of work, only to be

Having really impressed with the killer chorus and direct messaging of Brave back in 2013, she uses a similar approach for a very different subject matter. Hands Off My Body is thought provoking and truly addictive. Channelling her inner Ingrid Michaelson on the stunning build of Idiot Heart makes for a perfect radio moment and it would be foolish for this not to be released as a single.

Teaming up with Brandi Carlile on Salt Then Sour Then Sweet plays to the best of both artists, and allows the listener to only imagine the magic that could be crafted if the pair extended this to a full album worth of collaboration.

As the album draws to a close with the poignant Wind Is The Weather, Good Grief's journey to understanding reaches a beautiful conclusion. Yet, the greatest strength of this record, is that with each subsequent listen something new is to be discovered and felt.

Sara Bareilles' return has been long-awaited, but the result is one worth having waited for.