Sonya Kitchell - 'This Storm'

Sonya Kitchell has grown tremendously as a songwriter and vocalist since her 2006 HEAR Music debut, Words Came Back To Me. That record displayed a level of insight and integrity beyond her years, but the actual writing and artistry of Kitchell's work seems to have found its synchronicity on This Storm. While so many artists strive just to match the magic of their debut albums, Kitchell has far surpassed it with her sophomore effort.

Sonya Kitchell's Stormy Voice

This Storm is an excellent title for the disc, as so many of the arrangements capture a mystic darkness not unlike the setting in of storm clouds. Add to that Kitchell's dynamic, soulful vocals that are as strong and penetrable when barely whispering (i.e. "Who Knows After All" | purchase/download) as they are at full voice ("Running" | purhcase/download).

One of the strongest tunes on the disc comes from "Soldier's Lament" (purchase/download)—a folky, topical tune that personalizes the struggles of a soldier's life. Without pointedly addressing war or politics, the song could just as likely be about life's complications, in general. Here, Kitchell nails the difficult line between the personal and political—no small task.

Highlights of 'This Storm'

By the time "Robin in the Snow" (purchase/download) comes in, there seems a clearing in the storm. The long-bowed strings emerge quietly behind Kitchell's lullaby of longing, building the song from an understated lament about the end of a relationship to a more thoughtful well-rounded song.

Produced by Malcom Burn (Emmylou Harris, Patti Griffin), the record is focused wholly on Kitchell's vocals and lyrics. With instrumentation set fairly far back, the songs come across as earnest and deliberate. Kitchell's lyrics are honest and intuitive, allowing her voice to visit its various points of dynamism. Once the storm is over and the clouds clear off, you can bet that Kitchell will have more great records on the horizon.