Released in 2023, Natalie Merchant’s eighth studio album, Keep Your Courage, once again focuses on introspective lyrics, folk-inspired melodies, and her distinct vocal style. Merchant’s longevity in the industry is a testament to her prowess as a vocalist and performer, but never has she released such a poignant and sonically pleasing album for I dare say that Keep Your Courage is the greatest creative work of her illustrious career.
As regular readers of Subjective Sounds would note, I appreciate the human voice as an instrument in the mix rather than as a storytelling device and while the songs included on Keep Your Courage explore isolation, love, politics, and feminism, which will appeal to those who appreciate dissecting songs for their literal meanings, I remain in awe of Merchant’s vocal reach throughout as they are thoroughly pleasing to the senses.
Turning our attention to the visual senses and one finds the album’s artwork to be truly unique. Merchant normally appears on her cover art design, but the Joan of Arc statue certainly plays into the album’s title as well as much of the lyrical context throughout. The chosen design, with the coloured elements in the lower left-hand corner, is intriguing for I can’t fathom their purpose or meaning, but they simply work. Without them, the album cover would have been a little visually dull in its monochromatic state.
For those of you interested in picking up a physical release, you’ll be pleased to know that these coloured elements are continued throughout the artwork and look simply incredible. Plus, if you’re after a vinyl version, you’ll get a fourth side containing four songs, from Merchant’s previous albums, never before released on vinyl. While the bonus songs may not have been intended to flow in the context of the album structure, it is far more appealing than when an album is presented across three sides and the fourth is either left blank or contains an etching. Thankfully, the vinyl release didn’t truncate the album either; a common practice that can be mildly frustrating.
Sonically, the Hi-Res Lossless Apple Music Stream, an Apple Digital Master, is nothing short of perfection. It is, without a doubt, one of the most beautifully recorded, mixed, and mastered albums you’re likely to hear in the modern era. The soundstage is spacious and every musical note is given air to breathe as Merchant’s stunning vocal soars through the backing music in a divine experience that has to be heard to be believed. Masterpiece doesn’t even come close to describing the sonic presentation of Keep Your Courage.
Big Girls (feat. Abena Koomson-Davis) is a beautiful song to open the album on. From the first piano notes, to Merchant’s glorious vocal, the sonic sparseness is the highlight here as it allows the mind to relax and reflect before the other musical elements come into the mix. Big Girls has a little bit of everything. There are the singer/songwriter elements, a jazz influence, as well as a tad of pop to be heard. Stunning describes it, but it’s also an understatement.
Come On, Aphrodite (feat. Abena Koomson-Davis) is easily my favourite song from the album. The seamless transition from Big Girls is utterly perfect and Abena Koomson-Davis’ inclusion here is both complementary to Merchant as well as being a standout element. Without Koomson-Davis’ contribution, Come On, Aphrodite wouldn’t be as impressive as it is for the vocal elements are the strongest aspect of this song with regard to the ebb and flow of the tune.
Sister Tilly is a thoroughly relaxing sonic journey. You’ll find yourself closing your eyes and listening in a captivated manner for music should always sound this good, yet it seldom does. What a beautiful song!
Narcissus flows beautifully from Sister Tilly and it would be fair to say that as far as the sequencing of the album goes, Keep Your Courage is seamless. While it isn’t a standout tune, the more I listen to Keep Your Courage the more I find myself increasingly captivated by Narcissus for Merchant’s vocal prowess, control, and delicacy is an experience in and of itself.
Hunting The Wren shifts the tone to be one of a more melancholy approach than we’ve heard thus far. It’s haunting and will make you sit up and take notice but the boldness of the sonic experience ensures that the senses are heightened when listening to this memorable tune.
Guardian Angel lifts the senses following the tonal shift of Hunting The Wren and while it’s a rather simple composition, it allows Merchant’s delicate vocals to reach every aspect of your soul. Merchant is so clear and present, in the mix, that your speakers will disappear and should you close your eyes, you’d swear she is in the room with you. Plus, the musical interlude around the midway point is nothing short of incredible. Guardian Angel is a true masterpiece in every sense of the word.
Eye Of The Storm isn’t quite the song Guardian Angel is, but its beauty is complementary and it’s songs such as Eye Of The Storm that make Keep Your Courage one of the best albums released in 2023 and one that will remain a landmark recording for Merchant.
Tower Of Babel shifts the tempo. The horn and rhythm work here is off-the-charts good. An incredible tune and one that sees my body moving involuntarily to the groove. My only criticism is that it’s too short. That said, good things come in small packages.
Song Of Himself is more relaxed, compared to Tower Of Babel, but unless you’re listening for it, you’re unlikely to notice the stylistic shift. While there isn’t a bad song to be heard on Keep Your Courage, Song Of Himself is a classic album-only tune that few will seek out but is necessary in order to hold the structure of the album experience together.
The Feast Of Saint Valentine is simply gorgeous. What an incredible closing tune! Initially sparse in its chosen musical style and mix, when the music begins to build, every element becomes crystal clear thereby ensuring that The Feast Of Saint Valentine is a memorable closer that will compel you to play the album again. That is, of course, provided you don’t choose to put this magnificent song on repeat for it’s one of the best tunes from the album and one of the best songs Merchant has ever recorded.
There’s no denying Merchant’s songwriting and vocal abilities for she is a master of the craft. Yet, just when we thought that we had heard the best that she has to offer, Keep Your Courage comes along in 2023 and bests all other creative output from this incredible songstress. While I can’t wait to hear more music from Merchant, if Keep The Courage were to be her final album, then I’d consider her extensive catalogue of music to be complete and that this final recording was the apex of her creativity.