Kathryn Calder’s solo release, Are You My Mother? marks this Canadian artist’s solo debut. Formerly of the band Immaculate Machine, Calder is best known as the newest member of The New Pornographers. Calder has a clear, strong voice similar to fellow Pornographer Neko Case, and combines it with power chords and upbeat melodies that are more whimsical than Case’s country twang. Are You My Mother? is full of well-written, deftly delivered songs about a period of time when Calder’s mother passed away. The album is personal and reflective, but the songs are anything but downbeat and sad. Standout tracks include the lively and intricate “Castor and Pollux” and “If You Only Knew” and the lush ballad “Down the River.” – Written by DBosket
SIMILAR | Sera Cahoone, Neko Case, Hannah Georgas, Jolie Holland, Jenny Lewis, The New Pornographers