American roots singer Mary Gauthier is one of those musicians who seems to survive by the grace of her own music. She wrote off her traumatic childhood and addiction and now seems to have landed in a sweet spot in her life. This is already aptly reflected in the title of her album Dark Enough To See The Stars, but certainly also reflected in the lyrics of the songs. There is room for sadness (How
… Could You Be Gone) about the loss of a dear friend, who died of covid-19, but equally for gratitude (Thank God For You). Ubiquitous on the record is Gauthier's lover and muse Jaimee Harris. Harris - a singer-songwriter herself - is sung to, but also features herself as a backing vocalist. The song Amsterdam is inspired by a weekend that Gauthier and Harris were forced to spend in Amsterdam because of a stranded trip. In a heavily romanticized way, the capital city and these moments of happiness for Gauthier are described. Although almost too much of a good thing, in Gauthier's lived voice they sound beautiful and heartfelt. (JV)more