- Waxahatchee – Artist
- Saint Cloud – Album
- March 27th, 2020 – Release Date
- Merge Records – Label
Admittedly, I have not had the privilege of diving into Waxahatchee’s catalog prior to listening to Saint Cloud, their fifth release. From the second track, Can’t Do Much, I find myself whisked away to an early summer evening, on an open prairie, intoxicated by the prospects of what the evening may present. Katie Cruchfield’s soft, melodic voice provides narration while the easy-down-tempo rhythm provides the energy, with a light telecaster providing the right amount of twang and flourish. Katie sings “I’m wiser and slower and attuned” on the track Fire, as if to remind us all that she is reborn, refreshed, or simply has matured. The imagery of her songs makes me feel there has been a rediscovered willingness to love that has come from time out in the country. Separating oneself from their surroundings to give necessary perspective and no better place to do this then out in nature. “I’m in a war with myself and it’s got nothing to do with you” – she proclaims on aptly named track, War, to drive home her newfound revelation. It’s clear she packed her acoustic guitar on this journey only to return and share her tales of reflection, confession and even redemption. Katie is offering us all a ride in the back of her beater pickup truck to join her and the fireflies on this early warm summer eve to come hear her songs; I recommend you climb aboard, you won’t regret it.
