The Sea

Given the tragic death of Bailey Rae’s husband almost two years ago, it’s only natural to find a few sorrowful tracks on her second album, The Sea. Grief is just one of the feelings she powerfully conveys here, though. Bailey Rae also expands her range with several surprisingly hard-edged guitar and organ workouts, and returns elsewhere to the sunny neo-soul sound that helped her last disc go double platinum. What makes it all work is her lithe voice, as eloquent an instrument as ever. B+

Download These:
Listen to the heartbreaking ballad Are You Here at blip.fm
Listen to the retro-rock nugget Paper Dolls at last.fm
Listen to the carefree jam Paris Nights/New York Mornings at last.fm

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