For those unaware, a great deal has transpired in recent years and Lucy Isabel captures the essence of change in her profoundly touching new album, All The Light (an album brought into being by her recent successful Kickstarter campaign).

There are the obvious factors: a global pandemic, political turmoil, wide-reaching tragedy. And on a personal level, Isabel has navigated five years of marriage, entry into motherhood, and the unexpected loss of her father. What results is a compelling and vulnerable sonic snapshot into Isabel’s life.

Following her 2019 debut album, Rambling Stranger, Isabel felt both limitless and lost. “I felt like people were aware of and interested in my career in a way they hadn’t been previously and I froze.”

Unsure of what else to do, she turned to her usual outlet and began touring extensively. Isabel embarked on an ambitious “31 Shows in 31 Days” tour in October 2019 and she found her footing along the way. Her confidence was short-lived, however, when the COVID-19 pandemic arrived and left everyone in fearful uncertainty.

Not one to waste time, Isabel took the opportunity to grow her family, giving birth to her first child in April 2021. “I always expected that I would just continue touring but I was suddenly presented with this opportunity to be home and relax throughout my first pregnancy. We decided to take advantage of that and I couldn’t be more grateful that we did. It was a silver lining in a difficult time.”

All The Light leans more toward the folk side of Isabel’s folk/Americana identity, still making use of a live band feel while also incorporating a great deal of acoustic instrumentation. The songs are both introspective and relatable, paying due respect to the fears that form us and the freedom of letting them go.

1. A Better Life
2. Magpie
3. Best Efforts
4. A Hero’s Welcome
5. Miles From Home
6. Where It Lies
7. Blind Ambition
8. The Edge
9. My Memory
10. The Right Choice

This rather delightful, and dutifully crafted new recording opens on the harmonica-hued A Better Life and the stirring Magpie and then we get brought forth the joyful Best Efforts, the stoic, lonesome ode of A Hero’s Welcome and the all-embracing Miles From Home.

Along next is a aching yearn found within Where It Lies and the free wheelin’ Blind Ambition and they are in turn backed seamlessly by the smooth country of The Edge, the album rounding out on the alluring ballad My Memory, coming to an all-too-soon close on some amiable melodies within The Right Choice.

On All The Light, Isabel reunites with Rambling Stranger producer, Jared Anderson, and the result is a stunning reflection of the growth of a professional friendship. “When Jared and I worked on Rambling Stranger, we were both in our mid 20s and now on this project we’re in our early 30s. A lot has changed. It’s a special thing to return to a producer-artist dynamic at this point in our lives. Making a record requires vulnerability and understanding and a lot of time; I think that’s reflected in the way these songs have turned out.”

Official Website

Lucy Isabel @ Facebook