Grace Potter

Daylight

From the first notes of the first song, Grace Potter’s new solo album, Daylight, it is obvious that this is a powerful and highly personal album. it is her first album in four years and her second since the break up of her band, The Nocturnals. It comes after a  tumultuous break, during which Potter got divorced, got remarried and had a baby. This album is all about the guilt, loss, new love and recovery she experienced in that time. To help her with the project, she has her husband Eric Valentine as  producer and former Nocturnal Benny Yurco on guitar. Belmont Tench is on keyboards and the band Lucius does stunning background vocals on some songs

“Love is Love” is highly confessional and powerful, and is followed by the more rocking but equally honest “On My Way: “It’s too late to be afraid..I’m already on my way.” From there we go to the sweet, gentle love song, “With Every Heartbeat.”

The gorgeous piano and voice ballad, “Release,” is all about letting go and forgiving and hoping for the same. What a beautiful song it is! It is followed by the deceptively calm beginning of “Shout It Out,” which gradually moves from country ballad to the cathartic loudness of the chorus, accentuated by a fantastic screaming guitar accompaniment.

By this time, you should realize as you listen that this is as honest a musical journal of loss and love as you have ever heard. That continues to be true with the country-tinged “Everyday Love,” a joyful affirmation of true love. Then “Daylight” begins with a crash of a chord and throws you into an intense l rendition of the title song,  which begins as intense soul and builds to totally immersive rock and back to soul again in its tale of rebirth after darkness.

“Back To Me” is another rock ballad that uses softer solo verses with stronger choruses, un this case with the skillful Luciusunderscoring the lyrics about finding yourself. “Repossession” is a gorgeous move all the way into country, reminiscent of Patsy Cline and the other classic country crooners, again featuring Lucius. The musical journey ends with a return to rock with “Desire,” with its irresistible percussion.

Overall, this album is emotionally raw and powerful. It is an amazing return for Potter and a real treat for her fans. Welcome back, Grace!