On this, her first album in four years, hallmarks of Gauthier’s work—spare arrangements, plainspoken insights—are present on a song series about relationships; their anguish, fear and troubling doubt. What makes Gauthier special is her ability to craft personal songs with universal truths whose impact is amplified by a world-weary, remarkably ordinary singing voice. Songs like “When A Woman Goes Cold” and “How You Learn To Live Alone” find perseverance where there is pain, renewal beyond rejection. As always, Gauthier gets to the marrow of what it means to be human. – Mark Nardone
In The Black Records • Producer: Mary Gauthier and Patrick Granado • Score: 8/10
