“Sad girl” singer-songwriter icon Adrianne Lenker has stolen the hearts of fans once again. This time, it’s with her single “Sadness As A Gift,” which is eerily reminiscent of tracks on country legend Dolly Parton’s 1974 album, “Jolene.”
The single, released on Jan. 17, is the second that has been teased ahead of Lenker’s new album “Bright Future.” It is set for release on March 22, just in time to kick off the first week of spring. While this song has been performed live at some of Lenker’s past gigs with her band Big Thief, this is the first time that it has reached the ears of the general public.
From the beginning of the song, Lenker’s melodic guitar instrumentals are complemented with a velvety violin accompaniment. Together, these evoke nothing less than the bittersweet romantic feelings that so often surround the winter months, with perhaps a crackling fireplace and mugs of hot chocolate, too. After counting in the song, Lenker dives straight into the demise of a relationship with her lyrics that epitomize winter heartbreak.
Oh, kiss so sweet, so fine / You could hear the music inside my mind
Adrianne Lenker, “Sadness As A Gift”
Drenched in old-school country influence, Lenker addresses this song to a former partner, insisting in her lilting voice that “You could write me someday, and I think you will / We could see this sadness as a gift and still / Feel too heavy to hold.” In this first month of 2024, perhaps the queen of breakup music’s new release will be a comforting earworm as we look to put past memories behind us, but not necessarily forget them.
Adrianne Lenker is breaking her four-year solo hiatus since 2020’s “Songs and Instrumentals” with “Bright Future,” to be released March 22 through label 4AD. She kicks off the European leg of her “Bright Future” tour in April before returning to North America and wrapping the tour up at the end of November.
Stream Lenker’s latest single, “Sadness As A Gift,” now available on all listening platforms. Additionally, be sure to stay up-to-date with all things Adrianne Lenker ahead of her upcoming album through her socials and her website!
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