Christa Couture’s new album 'The Living Record' is as difficult to sum up in a few words as the Mona-Lisa-like expression on her face on the cover shot. To say that it’s about “maturing through loss” will sound terribly cliché to those unfamiliar with her story; Couture is an adolescent cancer survivor whose last album was inspired in part by the death of her infant son … and who has had to endure even more loss as she’s sought to get back on her feet.

And yet, to say it’s inspired by such tragedy leaves one singularly unprepared for the sound: bright,

beautifully-orchestrated indie folk; sweet, idiosyncratic vocals reminiscent of artists like Regina Spektor and Jane Siberry; a luscious palette of sonic styles – fuzzy guitar, bluegrass-style pickin’, soulful cello,

quirky chorus-like vocal arrangements and a touch of cabaret – and not a moment of self-indulgence to be found.

Read more about Christa Couture on Last.fm.

User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License and may also be available under the GNU FDL.