Album Review: Courtney Marie Andrews - May Your Kindness Remain

"I like you, honey / Being with you is like being alone."

It's a line in I've Hurt Worse that sums up the lyrical concerns of Courtney Marie Andrews' album in two ways: the rocky terrain of personal relationships and the mental health issues of modern society.

This is the singer-songwriter blossoming with confidence and verve. Andrews has often been pegged with Joni Mitchell comparisons, but here she steers away from a folk sound and draws on the rich history of soul and gospel, combined with a continued love for country music. As well as the dark, snaking groove of Border, there are added lush and tender qualities on show with organ and backing vocals adding a warmth and depth that was sometimes missing from her debut.

Andrews' voice is still the premium drawcard with its devastating ache and swoon, capable of glorious high runs and subdued musings, yet never just for the sake of vocal gymnastics. The opening title track is a bold statement to kick things off, showing her full range and the extent of emotional vulnerability she's intent on bringing to these songs. From here, she digs deep into tales of misguided love and the darkness on the edges of all of our towns on this consistently impressive album.