Kat Goldman

After nearly losing her life in a freak accident a few years ago, Toronto singer/songwriter Kat Goldman has returned strong with this album that, not surprisingly, draws heavily from that experience. From the title track’s refrain of "Maybe I died and came right back to life” at the outset, Sing Your Song remains consistently life-affirming until the end and more importantly, without betraying a hint of sentimentality. Goldman’s gorgeous melodies, mostly laid down on piano, are heightened to great effect by producer Maury LaFoy’s subtle orchestration, giving the record a warm, mid-’70s vibe. By extension, Goldman’s wide-ranging voice and confessional lyrics often recall classic Joni Mitchell, especially on the entrancing "Driving All Night,” and "The Lone Plane.” On these, and most of the other songs, the magic rests in Goldman’s sheer joy in taking command of her art all over again. Her wide-eyed awareness of now having the capability to triumph over any adversity is simply irresistible. It may be trite to call Sing Your Song the feel-good hit of the year but there most likely won’t be many other albums that can match it in terms of pure optimism.