They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover...but you know that sometimes you can't help but do it. I did it with Sarah Darling's latest release Dream Country. The album box art is stunning: a constellation map is printed on the disc, gold stars are embossed on the case and the album insert folds out into another gorgeous map, with the stars representing people Sarah wanted to thank for bringing this project to life.Wow, I thought. The music has some seriously high standards to live up to now.
I needn't have worried. Dream Country, like its case, is a work of beauty.
We open with 'Wandering Star', a track that sets the tone for the album brilliantly. Atmospheric and ethereal, it's a track of self-belief and reassurance that it's okay to find yourself lost in life. A strings section helps to make this one aptly dreamy.
'Where Cowboys Ride' is a four minute trip to Wyoming. Described as a 'love letter' to her home state, it's hard not to fall in love with the idyllic landscape she's painting for us. The theme of home continues on 'Anchor' a track written with a certain Mr Sam Palladio and is about missing his home. Another beautiful song...listening to this album really, really makes you want to get out there and see the world.
Sarah puts a new twist on 'Tell That Devil', a song that was already dear to my heart. Probably more people listening to this album will recognize this track as a song sang by Juliette Barnes in Nashville but this song, originally cut by Jill Andrews, currently serves as the theme song for Wynonna Earp, a drama about a demon-hunting eponymous main character (and currently this reviewer's favorite show). Darling does this one justice, providing feisty vocals to a kicking beat.
Then comes a drastic change of tone and something that left me speechless. The personal, 'Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want'. Sure, it's not an original but it's a song that you can feel resonates so deeply with Sarah. It's vulnerable and, musically, is so beautifully arranged. It's absolutely stunning.
Honesty features also on the following 'Starry Eyes'. Life is fraught with difficulties, she admits here but you gotta push through them to get to where you want to be. It's an optimistic message that many will relate to, and will also need to hear.
Sarah then takes us across the channel to 'Montmarte'. It's three and a half minutes of beautiful imagery, immersing you in a picturesque Parisian cityscape. 'Halley's Comet', a track that has been steadily growing momentum (and deservedly so) is next up and, again, it's another spellbinding number. Opening and ending with a delicate piano, there's again vulnerability to the vocals, vocals that soar and shine bright.
'You Take Me All The Way' is a sultry and playful number, with a jazzy melody. And then we end with 'Stargazer'. It's the perfect song to end on. Sarah calls it 'a lullaby to help you get through' - a philosophy that is very much at the heart of Dream Country. This is an album for the dreamer; hopeful and inspirational. And it's an album that is very much needed in the world right now.
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Dream Country is out this Friday (10th February).
