Chely Wright is a groundbreaking artist and not many people can name three songs by her. By coming out of the closet earlier this month, Wright, a very sunny, quirky singer with spotty success, took charge of both her career and personal life in a field that isn't the most kind to those who don't fit the idealized vision of a working country musician. In a genre where homogeny is seemingly encouraged, Chely Wright now stood out, albeit for all the wrong reasons.
First single Broken has some much needed tempo (several of Wright's recent singles have been very maudlin ballads and this moody midtempo feels good to these tired ears) and introspection; a tale of putting the pieces back together and learning how to live, it's inspirational without being ham fisted. It possesses a smoldering subtlety and distinct intelligence that is undeniable (it's one of the best written country singles I've heard in a while). Snow Globe is one of the more complex listens on the record, containing indirect suicide references and some genuinely dark moments. With touches of bluegrass (more Alison Krauss than Ralph Stanley, of course), it's quite organic with beautiful imagery and an interesting point of view. Wright plays wounded quite well (her voice has always, in my opinion, been fragile and soft), so it's not the knock-you-on-your-butt change of pace that you may think it is. Notes to the Coroner does not sound anything like I thought it would. Just glancing at the tracklist, I assumed that this would be the gutwrenching ballad and centerpiece of the record. While its sunny road song sheen sounds made for radio (those guitars are divine), the lyricism is shockingly downbeat and depressing (it's a little opaque, but it sounds like Wright detailing a suicide note). Such juxtaposition could be extremely off putting, but this articulate toe tapper manages to be oddly catchy. You'll catch yourself singing it and trust me, that'll inspire some mixed emotions.
Ornate and tender, Wish Me Away relies on a single acoustic guitar and Wright's tormented vocals to great avail (there's some luxurious strings toward the controlled climax). It's not a huge departure from the rest of the record, but that doesn't mean it's not a strong piece of this heartfelt puzzle. Seeped in regret (and lined with a sense of hope for the future), it's the type of song that would sound spectacular live, a post-break up ballad that bears every emotional scar imaginable. Shadows of Doubt is all about inner strength and perseverance; it's a touch sleepy at over six minutes long, but the comfort and ease in which it operates makes that not as big of a con as it would have been otherwise. Sounding almost like a lullaby (Wright's vocals are strangely maternal and knowing), it's peaceful and romantic, a ballad made for gentle embraces and mixtapes. Like Me, the title of Wright's recently published autobiography, makes reference to Wright's sexuality (who's going to end up holding your hand/ a beautiful woman or a tall handsome man), which took me off guard on first listen. It's done very poetically and naturally, so once the initial "oh, she said what?" awareness has gone away, the song can have its effect on you and what an effect it has. It almost feels like a song to herself, adding to the earnest self-awareness that permeates the record. It's a gentle nudge in the right direction, a tender moment of a woman coming into her own.
Taking away all the controversy, this is Chely Wright's best album in years. In the past, her music could come off as a bit hokey in some places, self-righteous in others, but the seas of life have eroded the sandy bits of gunk from her songwriting. They leave a self-assured, interesting figure whose only real connection to country music is the noticeable twang in her delivery; if it weren't for Wright's slight southern lilt, this could be placed alongside other singer-songwriter records without much after thought. Lifted Off the Ground is personal, thoughtful, and a real pleasure to watch unfold, a lovely way to watch someone finally come out from the shadows and embrace their true self.
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