After her riveting performance of “Woman” on Colbert, Cat Power releases her 11-track album, Wanderer, in its entirety today. The luscious, soft sounds of the title track lead us into the piece, slowly and confidently building up sound and backing instrumentals to provide the robust, ethereal sound that continues through second track “In Your Face”. Third track “You Get” has a bit of a punk edge to the instrumentals, while “Woman” provides a more soulful sound, reflecting the strength of an entire gender. “Horizon” stays at that level, while “Stay” slows things down a tad bit more and seems to play more with dissonance and vocal placement than its predecessors.

“Black” is hauntingly beautiful, the vocals presented akin to Imogen Heap, while “Robbin Hood” simplifies the instrumentals a little more for us. Cat Power’s raspy vocals in “Me Voy” are alluring, drawing you right into the mood and sounds of last track “Wanderer/Exit”, which provides quite the closing to the album.

The journey you go on with this album is at a manageable pace for you to slow down your thoughts and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. We advise you to take advantage of the soothing soundscape this week.

Keep up with Cat Power here.

Meredith Schneider