Americana singer-songwriter and trauma-informed story work coach Lora Kelley unveils her latest long player, Where I Am Now, exploring motifs of loss, healing, and reconstructing a life.
The genesis of the album occurred back in 2019, when Kelley wrote her song “Dust.” She didn’t know at the time that “Dust” would become the cornerstone of an album. In 2023, she played a new song for Jeremy Casella, who spotted the evolving theme.
According to Kelley, “This record… is really my ‘book’ about navigating the complexities of what it means to heal and hold onto yourself, to cultivate a new and flourishing life while you do it. I’ve worked with hundreds of people who decided to heal and then move through the uncertainty and hope of finding life on the other side. This album is for people who are on that path… I see you and I made it through. It was hard. But it was worth it.”
Of the nine tracks on the album, entry points include the opening track, “The Man Behind the Curtain,” a revelatory song rolling on a gentle, creamy, sparkling melody topped by Kelley’s evocative vocals. It’s one of those deliciously slightly reedy voices that convey subtle tonal nuances effortlessly.
A personal favorite because of its vulnerability and tender self-realization, “Maybe” travels on an undulating motion as it tells the tale of escaping a dysfunctional family. “Dust,” the song that started it all, reveals a soft melody dipped in flavors of country and Americana. The spreading feel of the guitars gives the tune an expanding sensation.
Another favorite because of its low-slung, floating-gliding flow, “Will You Hold My Arms Up?” finds Kelley exhibiting the range and clarion colors of her unique voice. Infused with Celtic and gospel savors, this is a beautiful and haunting track.
The light intro to the title track leads to a shimmering melody that takes on dynamic potency as Kelley’s exquisite voice bares its gift for expression through gorgeously diverse tones.
Visionary and vital, with Where I Am Now, Lora Kelley probes into the depths of the human condition and its restoration.
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