Debut album: Clare Bowen

Clare Bowen - one might know her from the CMT/HULU TV series Nashville where she portrayed the character of Scarlett O'Connor. In real life, Clare Bowen grew up in rural Australia and have had always a special connection to music. In 2012 she bought a one-way-ticket to Los Angeles, USA. During her first year in the USA she landed her first gig in the series Nashville, which seemed to have initiated her music career. 

Recently, Clare Bowen released her same-named debut album and is currently on a five-city-tour.  

(https://www.clarebowenofficial.com/)

Clare Bowe's debut album was released in July 2019 via BGM and consists of 11 songs. According to Taste of Country, "Bowen co-wrote the majority of her album with her husband, Brandon Robert Young. Josh Kaufman — whose credits include Bob Weir, the National and the Hold Steady — produced and partially co-wrote the album, which also features contributions from Amy Wadge, Wyatt Durrette, Nathan Chapman and Lori McKenna."

In my opinion, the style of her debut album matches a lot of what you might know from the TV series. Clare Bowen sings with a clear voice and one can still feel the introverted young lady in her songs. Instead of loud noises, Bowen decided to tell an emotional story with each and every song on the album. In general, she seems to be a very thoughful singer-songwriter. Also, I did not know that she was diagnosed with cancer at four years old. With those experiences and winning the battle, she wrote the song "Warrior".

In the videos I've seen from her performances, Clare Bowen takes her audience on a journey full of laughter, tears, dancing, singing, jumping up and down. Compared to the more quiet songs "Aves's Song" is a bit upbeat and  transfers a message that is very sad actually. In an interview with the songwriting magazine, she told that the song was about her best friend who fought against thoughts of suicide and depression. I really like the chorus of this song because it makes clear, that nobody has that power to break one's wings and we just have to get up again and gain some strenghts out of it. And to fly again.

"Let It Rain" was the album's lead single that was released on May 23, 2019. The song is about surviving life's struggles and being fearless. “All The Beds I’ve Made" is a tender tribute to Bowen's husband, while Americana artist Buddy Miller joins Bowen on a song titled “Tide Rolls In”(tasteofcountry).

"Tide Rolls In" falls a bit out of the other songs, which is nothing bad at all and sparks with brass band tunes. It invites the listener to jump with Clare on the stage. Although I have to say, it is not one of my favourites and the chorus is not really complicated as it repeats "tide rolls in, tide rolls out" just a little too much - just my personal opinion.

Probably my favourite song now, besides Warrior, is "Doors & Corridors". It is a perfect blend of Clare's Australian roots and the current US-country roots. 

"Lullaby" takes the listener somehow back to the late 90s and really shows the vocal range of Clare Bowens voice.

"Sweet William" is a nice acoustic folk song that tells a tale in which everyone can understand what one need to understand. Here, Clare's voice is very soft and something of a nightingale.

There are three remaining songs: Lijah & The Shadow, Little by Little, as well as Grace of God & You. All three of them show, once more, the beauty of Bowen's voice.

"Little by Little" is an anthem for everyone who already had to or is currently fighting any sort of battle in their lives. It's meaning is to lift those people up and inspire us.

In general, I think Clare Bowens debut album is well made and the listener gets a piece of what her life might feel like. Eleven short stories and things maybe to give at thought about. She stays true to herself, sometimes just a little bit crazy, and not giving something about other's thoughts. This album is pure Clare Bowen. So, thank you, for your work! 

~ Johanna Walser