Waxahatchee
Out In The Storm

Before I began to listen to Katie Crutchfield’s fourth album under the moniker Waxahatchee, I knew that it would be hard to top her 2015 classic Ivy Tripp.  That album centered on Crutchfield rediscovering herself and looking forward.  Immediately after the first couple of songs on Out in the Storm, I was quickly reminded that I shouldn’t have been so apprehensive.  This latest album feels so much more complete than Ivy Tripp.  Producer John Agnello’s call to have the band record together to capture their unity in a pure way was spot on.  Confidence just pours out of Crutchfield’s vocals with each note; a sign that whatever may have happened in the past is now made her stronger.  Waxahatchee’s Out in the Storm feels so important, honestly.  It’s going to be one of those albums that should be considered one of the top albums of 2017, no doubt.  (Merge Records) by Tommy Johnson