Alela Diane released her fifth album 'Cusp' earlier this year and it quickly became a favourite. I still play it constantly. It is undoubtedly my album of the year, so far.
A broken thumb nail apparently moved her away from the guitar and to the piano for most of the songs on Cusp. A move that was inspiring and at the same time it changed the way she approached her songwriting... maybe in a similar way to what Conor Oberst did with his 'Ruminations' album.
She came close to dying during the birth of her second child and the album title comes from that experience, "Life and death meet in a cusp" as she commented.
She even admits that writing songs about motherhood is a musical taboo, however, she doesn't apologise here. And she has no reason to apologise. The emotions are deep, but assured, and there are no hints of saccharine slipping in. Nothing short of stunning from start to finish.
"Ether & Wood", which was released as a single prior to the album coming out, is about the different lives that are lived within a lifetime.
Treat yourself and check out 'Cusp' now.
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