Shannon Hawley releases new album

Shannon Hawley’s sophomore studio album, Starthrowers, is a beautiful memoir in song paying homage to the brave caretakers who have been instrumental in shaping our lives. This album captures the bittersweetness of life and death, and the people who grieve and love deeply. Hawley’s haunting voice and bold choruses are a testament to her dedication to storytelling, and her journey to this embodied musical memoir is palpable.

The album is a stunning blend of acoustic and electronic sounds, with sparse crashing guitars and layered electronic and synth accents nodding to EDM. Collaborating with EDM producer NekterGun, Hawley’s sound is sometimes anthemic, always cinematic and somehow warmly intimate. The record represents a deep and personal journey, drawing mostly from her own life and the lives of her ancestors, and women’s stories.

The title track and opening song, “Starthrowers”, is a powerful anthem that celebrates the women who have done the brave and often overlooked task of fiercely loving and caring for people, connecting the world like the underground mycelium network, and honouring the earth itself. Hawley’s voice soars over the driving beats, and the chorus is unforgettable.

The song “Bones, Blood, Saltwater, and Song” is a standout track, with its delicate melodic writing and lyrics that remind us of what we are made of. Hawley’s voice is soft yet powerful, and the sparse instrumentation adds to the emotional weight of the song. It’s a beautiful and intimate moment on the album.

Throughout Starthrowers, Hawley’s lyricism is deeply rooted in her New Jersey upbringing, but also reflects her travels and personal experiences in life. The album was written during an epic odyssey from her hometown through Brooklyn, Ithaca, Argentina, Vermont, Los Angeles, California, Costa Rica and then back home again, while the world collapsed in on itself and attempted to learn its lessons. The result is an LP that’s both entirely personal and still universal.

Hawley’s last album, A Different Kind of Progress, was influenced by poets like Rumi, Rilke, Mary Oliver and Tagore. This time around, she is drawing mostly from her own life and the lives of her ancestors and women’s stories. The result is an album that’s raw, emotive and deeply moving.

Starthrowers has been eight years in the making, and the wait was worth it. Hawley’s sound is unique and innovative, with a blend of acoustic and electronic elements that creates a hybrid sound that’s captivating and beautiful. The album has earned comparisons to the work of Florence and the Machine, Kate Bush and Fiona Apple, but Hawley’s New Jersey Springsteen-like roots and songwriting spin make it completely her own.

The record is a masterpiece that’s sure to resonate with listeners. Hawley’s dedication to storytelling is evident throughout the album, and her haunting voice and bold choruses are unforgettable. This is an album that deserves to be heard, and it’s clear that Hawley poured her heart and soul into this project.

Listen to Starthrowers below