This is Scottish vocalist Louise Dodds’ first album in nine years, and her first to consist solely of her own compositions. The main reason for the collection's lengthy development period – further supplemented by delays of various kinds encountered during Covid and lockdowns – is also the reason for its more personal nature. In 2014 Dodds’ young husband, the drummer Andrea Marongiu, died, and the album documents the singer's gradual healing and recovery – she felt unable to perform for four years. The 10 self-penned tracks are strongly cathartic, a mood that's well served by limpid, unfussy arrangements and Dodds's own clear, unforced vocals. The material can certainly be moving – grief is confronted in the ballad ‘A Little Grace’ – but neither it nor the delivery ever push an emotional response. Dodds has assembled a fine band of collaborators for the project, fellow Scots Tom Gibbs (piano), Andrew Robb (bass) and Alyn Cosker (drums). The album ends with a spring in its step and a little reflective scatting on ‘This Is Where I Leave You’ – a fine ending to an engaging and deeply personal story.