Geneviève Racette returns to our pages with powerful fourth album, Golden.

By Graeme Smith

A folk and Americana artist who has appeared on our blog a few times before, Geneviève has just released her fourth album, Golden. A journey of healing and self-discovery, it explores themes of sobriety, friendship breakups, and self-love.

The album’s singles have been well-received in her native Canada, with airplay and impressive chart positions, but how does the full-length collection hold up?

The tone is set by From Friends To Strangers, a soul-searching story of lost friendship rendered powerfully to life through Geneviève’s narrative-rich lyrics and compelling vocals. A stirring chorus provides an early highlight, nestled neatly between intimate, stripped-back verses.

X2 is an intimate and vulnerable moment that explores Geneviève’s difficult relationship with alcohol and sobriety while Things You Can’t Say brings bittersweet nostalgia with its driving folk rock composition. Title track Golden rounds off the early listening transitioning the album’s story from pain to healing. It’s a beautifully emotive moment.

My Thoughts Of You is intimate while Same Old Me is confessional. Instagram turns its attention to the false selves we present on social media while I Hope It Hurts is a driving, biting rebuke to a friend’s toxic lover. In Circles revels in self-reflection while Home Movies shakes off the introspection with a moment of warmth. Feel Things gets lost in wistful heartbreak before The Reasons (I’ll Be Alright), co-written with Danielle Knibble, closes the album with a delicate, loving tribute to those that keep Geneviève going.

Geneviève has a wonderful way of making her point clear with her lyrics, yet also brings plenty of poetry. It’s a rare skill, and sets her out as one of the great songwriters of her generation. Her story is told against a backdrop of beautifully realised folk pop.

Golden is out now and you can give it a listen below.