"Enviable collaborations with the likes of Elton John and Joni Mitchell have inspired and elevated Brandi Carlile's musical profile in the last several years. And at this point, the multi-Grammy award winner could easily coast along via the connections she's made, putting out more duets and tributes, or songwriting for superstars and legends, like her work with Tanya Tucker. But that'd be too easy."
"However hyperbolic, it's honest. The Washington-bred and -based singer-songwriter has nothing to prove in terms of talent and performing chops. Kudos from the music world-along with appearances on talk shows, award shows, and SNL-have made her a pop star, even with fans who aren't all that familiar with her trajectory in the Americana scene or her early output. But who is she, right now?"
Brandi Carlile's eighth studio album Returning to Myself combines intimate songwriting with contributions from Aaron Dessner, Justin Vernon, and Andrew Watt. The record balances emotive, earnest lyrics and powerful vocals with polished, folksy arrangements. Mainstream visibility from awards shows, TV appearances, and notable collaborations has raised her profile, yet the album pursues reclamation, reassessment, and the work of togetherness rather than relying on celebrity ties. Straightforward songs like the title track and "Human" sit alongside numbers such as "A War With Time" and "No One Knows Us," which showcase range, cadence, and exquisite guitar work.
Read at SPIN
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