Sarah McLachlan's Journey of Losing then Rediscovering Her Unique Vocal Talent
After an 11-year hiatus, Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan is set to release her new album, "Better Broken", this Friday. The album marks McLachlan's first record of new songs since her 2010 release, "Laws of Illusion".
Growing up as the third child in an unhappy marriage in Nova Scotia, McLachlan found solace in music. She formally studied piano, guitar, and had years of classical voice training. However, she admits to faking it during her voice lessons. Despite this, her unique voice has become a pristine musical instrument, capable of elegantly vaulting octaves, scooping notes, and cracking words into multi-note, velvety yodels.
The title track of the album, "Let it be / all it is / small and still...", showcases McLachlan's vocal prowess. The melody has her incrementally climbing, climbing, and then athletically pirouetting in midair.
The producers of "Better Broken" are Tony Berg and Will Maclellan. This is a departure from McLachlan's '90s pop records, where she worked with longtime Canadian producer Pierre Marchand. The new album features lo-fi textures that give a modern feel while also reminiscent of old vinyl.
The songs on "Better Broken" are diary entries about personal experiences. They include an unpleasant breakup, loving a teenage daughter filled with rage, and surrendering at the apocalypse. One of the songs, "Afterglow", was made while McLachlan was pregnant and was completed after she gave birth.
McLachlan's daughters, India (23) and Taja (18), both sing with her on the new record. The album is a testament to McLachlan's growth as a mother and an artist.
Throughout her career, McLachlan has influenced artists like Taylor Swift, Brandi Carlile, Olivia Rodrigo, and Billie Eilish. She is also a maternal figure and principal fundraiser for the Sarah McLachlan School of Music, a free after-school program with three locations in Canada.
In November 2020, McLachlan almost lost her voice due to a viral infection. Her vocal coach instructed her to run around the block and breathe deeply to learn how to control her voice. This experience has added a new dimension to her singing, refining her voice like a barrel-aged wine.
McLachlan initially styled her singing after Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel, but with her sophomore album, she "purposely made a concerted effort to move away from that." Her music has evolved over the years, yet her unique style remains a constant.
Get ready for a journey through personal experiences and emotional depth with Sarah McLachlan's new album, "Better Broken", set to be released this Friday.
