Singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles has released "Good Grief," her first studio album in seven years, which dropped on Friday, August 28. The album, described by Bareilles as "a love letter to the hardest chapter of my life," features 14 tracks that delve into themes of grief, healing, and personal reflection.
Bareilles has announced a supporting tour, the "Good Grief Tour," which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, September 9, in Boston at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway. The tour will span across North America, with dates running through October 20. Notable stops include two nights at New York City's Radio City Music Hall on September 18 and 19.
"Good Grief" includes a variety of songs, with highlights such as the lead single "Home," the anthem "Still Crying," the piano ballad "Heartland," and the duet "Salt Then Sour Then Sweet" featuring Brandi Carlile. Bareilles described the album's creation process as "mystical," with songs arriving like transmissions and a newfound freedom in relinquishing control.
Tracks on the album explore deep emotional territory. "Home" touches on the early passing of a loved one, while "Just A Kid" offers a powerful, percussive reflection. "Still Crying" presents a personal rallying cry with a classic country feel. "Hands Off My Body" delivers a stark message of self-preservation, and "Ladies In A Line" evokes dormant emotions with its minimalist production. "Heartland" is noted for its empowering message, and "Capsize Me" provides an upbeat shift in tone.
Other tracks include the ironically humorous "Nervous Breakdown," the eccentric pop-rock of "Idiot Heart," the raw "Say Leave," the poignant "Salt Then Sour Then Sweet," and "Forever," which offers comforting reassurance. The album concludes with "Wind Is The Weather," a fitting finale that encapsulates the album's range of emotions.
The "Good Grief Tour" will feature performances across various venues, including theaters, music halls, and auditoriums. Ticket information, including a discount code NYPOST10 for $10 off purchases over $250 on SeatGeek for first-time users, is available. Previously, Bareilles released "Amidst The Chaos" in 2019. The artist last toured extensively in support of that album, with shows in late 2019 that included a stop at Atlanta's Fox Theatre on November 26, 2019. A potential setlist from that show included songs like "Orpheus," "Fire," "Love Song," "Armor," and "She Used to Be Mine."