On September 5, Upstate folk artist Kate McDonnell releases her sixth album, Trapeze. To celebrate, McDonnell returns to Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs for the album release party on September 20.
This is the latest release from McDonnell since her last album, Ballad of a Bad Girl, released in 2021. The album explored heavy themes of female gender identity and the relationships that stem from it. This time, the complex, introspective political themes are back in full force and more prominent than ever.
In this album, McDonnell covers a wide range of topics, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the tragic shootings occurring in the United States. But while these political issues are a central focus of the album, they are by no means the only issues McDonnell sings about. Struggles between family members, personal mental health, the death of a loved one, and leaving your home to pursue an independent life are all abundantly clear themes.
The opening track, “Pretty Good Day,” begins the album with a deceptively positive note. No matter what the struggles of life mean to her, it’s going to be a pretty good day when she spends time with those who provide a sense of security in the wake of such an isolating time like the pandemic. However, tracks like “All On My Own” and “Madeline” depict those feelings of loneliness, sadness, and depression as clear as day. The album’s finisher, “You Won’t Blow Away,” however, reminds us that even if things do not go our way, or if bad things happen, it is not the end of the world.
McDonnell’s political tinges don’t end there. The track “Step Right Up” dedicates itself to those who lost their lives to gun violence throughout the United States. As a firm advocate for gun safety laws and ending gun violence, McDonnell pays a wonderful tribute to the children whose lives were lost to gun violence throughout the country.
On September 20, Kate McDonnell hosts a release party for Trapeze at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs. Trapeze is out now on all streaming platforms. For more information, visit Kate McDonnell’s website.
Comments are closed.