SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: CAROLINE MARIE BROOKS – LIGHT AND MATTER

CAROLINE MARIE BROOKS
LIGHT AND MATTER
OUTSIDE MUSIC

Light And Matter is Caroline Marie Brooks’ second album, following her debut solo album, Everything At The Same Time, released in 2022. Of course, she is one third of The Good Lovelies, but her solo albums allow her to explore her passions and concerns for the world around her. Light And Matter was recorded over five days in Nova Scotia, with help from Joshua Van Tassel and Dean Drouillard. The album is a stripped back affair, complete with nature sounds flowing in and out the album. Light And Matter is a very personal album for Brooks. She sings about family, her love of nature and she goes so far as to question her place in the universe as a singer-songwriter.

For the most part, this is a very gentle, folk-based album. She does turn the volume up a little with songs such as “Put in the Work” and “Retrograde” which allow her to break away from the acoustic for a few minutes. While the music is very melodic, it is the lyrics are the focus, which draw the listener in, much like a giant warm embrace. While the content is personal, many could relate with her thoughts. “Good Mother Good Partner” grapples with two of the roles she assumes on any given day, and hoping (or worrying) that she is doing the best for both. Elsewhere, “Katie” is a moving song about her sister, and she even has a tribute to the poet Mary Oliver (“Mary”).

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Elsewhere songs about nature and caring for this world make this an album of very serious themes. Brooks sings about her worries in “The Pool”, which features a beautiful vocal from Colin Carbonera. It is simple, sparse and a very emotional three and a half minutes. You would be mistaken to think that the album is heavy and brooding, because there are light moments on the album too (hence the title Light and Matter). But on this album, she proves herself as a lyricist.

Light And Matter is a very cohesive and coherent album. It is not merely a collection of songs, but rather an album. At its core is the personal perspective of Brooks. She has a stunning voice, and she lets each song breathe and roll out as the should. She does not force the songs, but rather lets them out for all to enjoy, ponder and perhaps associate with. Light And Matter shows an artist who is continuing to grow and develop. Light And Matter is a fantastic achievement, and Brooks should be proud.

Caroline Marie Brooks Links

Good Lovelies Links

Inline Photo Credit: Jen Squires