Written around the time of the MAGA insurrection, Merchant took heart in Whitman’s unwavering faith that a better America could emerge. “Although Jan 6 will always be a dark day, we’ve seen much darker days than that and Whitman lived through them,” she explains. 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.

That lush, layered contralto voice can belong to only one person,” says NPR. The New Yorker says: “Her passion is for forgotten people, problems, and sounds.” 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! RASCOE: A lot of this album is about love. You know, when you have to protect yourself, like, love is where you're most vulnerable. Just the fact that I was doing it, that was what was different. [Laughs.] I redirected my creative energies for years into other areas, in other directions. I couldn't commit to that cycle of writing, recording, touring that I'd lived for 20 years before I had my daughter. It consumes so much energy and time. I wanted to be a good parent. And I'm a single mother, so I'm it. 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.You have more creative control if you're financing things, but it's a bigger burden for you. It's another thing on your list. And I really love doing my own production, but sometimes I just want to be the singer in the corner, working on "How am I going to phrase this perfectly? How am I going to emote this properly?" But when you're the producer, [you have to ask] "Was that the tempo that I want it to be? Is everything in time? Is everything in tune?" I grew up with Natalie’s music, and her voice has a special place in my conception of how music works. Keep Your Courageshows her – as singer and songwriter – at her most intimate, evocative, and beautiful.’

Elsewhere, love goes all the way up to population level. Merchant is well known for dealing with social issues in her writing, but on Keep Your Courage she’s less explicit about it. Still, there’s no mistaking that, beneath the funky horns and orchestral brass, “Tower of Babel” is a song about a world growing ever more divided. More subtle is “Song of Himself”, which she explains is “all about Walt Whitman and his kind of radical, expansive love of America.”

Keep Your Courage is Natalie’s ninth solo studio album and the first of new material since her 2014’s self-titled record. An eclectic album, produced by Merchant, it features two duets sung with vocalist Abena Koomson-Davis (Resistance Revival Chorus), contributions from the Celtic folk group Lúnasa, Syrian virtuoso clarinetist Kinan Azmeh, and horn arrangements by jazz trombonist Steve Davis. There are lush orchestrations throughout by seven composers including: Gabriel Kahane, Stephen Barber, Colin Jacobsen, David Spear and Megan Gould. Keep Your Courage comprises nine original songs by Merchant as well as an interpretation of “Hunting the Wren” by Ian Lynch of the Irish band Lankum. Keep Your Courageis transcendent… a brilliant and long-awaited return of Natalie’s unmistakable voice.” – Michael Stipe That lush, layered contralto voice can belong to only one person - Natalie Merchant, the one-time lead singer of 10,000 Maniacs, the multi-platinum creator of "Tigerlily," the environmentalist, film director, mother and artist in residence at a preschool. She does it all. She's out with her ninth solo album, "Keep Your Courage," and joins us now. Welcome to the show.

Superb…An absolutely stunning collection, it is vintage Merchant in displaying heart, intelligence and integrity wrapped in indelible hooks and gorgeous melodies.’ MERCHANT: (Singing) Tinctures, teas and your secret remedies and your voice like Buffy Sainte-Marie... a b Shahen, Jim (April 12, 2023). "Natalie Merchant Lays Out a Feast on 'Keep Your Courage' ". No Depression . Retrieved April 12, 2023. Natalie Merchant sees right through the sexist music industry: "The patriarchy wants to dispose of women at a certain age" Dunne, Tom (April 21, 2023). "Tom Dunne: Learning at the feet of the great Ms Natalie Merchant". The Irish Examiner . Retrieved April 21, 2023.When you started writing songs again, was there any ramping up period? How did you find yourself writing differently this time around? MERCHANT: I've had massive hits and sold lots of records, but I can walk into a store and hand someone my credit card and they can say, oh, you have the same name as a famous singer.

Rascoe, Ayesha (April 9, 2023). "Natalie Merchant on album 'Keep Your Courage' ". Weekend Edition. NPR . Retrieved April 12, 2023.MERCHANT: And it's not just a song about loss in love. It's loss in life and just difficulties in life. She is also learning Italian in preparation for a future musical project that will adapt Italian poetry. “I fund everything myself so there is no diluting the work; I don’t consult with anybody in the corporate realm. I take the risk and I accept the risk. My relationship to the music business is very remote – I exist in my own world.” Natalie Merchant with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra". Chautauqua Institution . Retrieved May 4, 2023. A lot of people journey through love and, regretfully, experience something painful and then shut themselves down. That’s one of the things I keep reinforcing through the songs and the lyrics on the album. Yes, you risk pain but that’s the way you grow. Perhaps the worst thing that could happen is you gain some wisdom.” I have been a persistent fan of Natalie Merchant for several decades – but this may be the best album she has ever made.With classically precise arrangements and production, elegantly poetic lyrics and emotionally stirring vocals she takes us on a unique and memorable journey.’