**Sarah McLachlan** Readies New Album, Reflects on Lilith Fair Legacy

The singer-songwriter opens up about the past, present, and future of her music and the ever-changing world.

After over a decade, Sarah McLachlan is back with a new album, Better Broken. She’s also reflecting on her career, including the iconic Lilith Fair and her experiences navigating a world in flux. The new music showcases her evolution while maintaining her signature emotive style.

A New Album and Fresh Perspectives

During a recent cruise, the Canadian artist found herself observing the political divisions in the United States firsthand. Democrats expressed their sympathies, while others downplayed the disruptions, which sparked a unique experience for McLachlan. Her new album explores personal and societal changes.

After eleven years, McLachlan releases Better Broken in September. The album emerged from both fresh compositions and long-gestating ideas. It delves into themes of breakups, strained familial relationships, and contemporary social issues. She collaborated with producers Tony Berg and Will Maclellan, deviating from her usual partner, Pierre Marchand.

McLachlan explained the extended break was due to life’s demands. These included raising teenagers and her work with the Sarah McLachlan School of Music. The songwriting process provided a needed catharsis, resulting in the “Wilderness” track, representing a turning point.

The song “Rise” embraces hope amidst modern issues, featuring lyrics like, “This time is gonna be different/I heard it on the news/Men are gonna lay their weapons down/Women keep the right to choose.” McLachlan initially co-wrote the song with Luke Doucet before the Ukraine conflict and the overturning of Roe v. Wade. She hopes that humanity can come together and find shared understanding.

Musical Evolution and Personal Reflections

McLachlan aimed to try new things for this album, having worked with Pierre Marchand for years. She considered it potentially her last, pushing her to collaborate with fresh voices. This led to exploring different musical styles, blending her usual sound with light funk and country elements.

She describes the album as a mix of classic Sarah ballads and new directions. Songs like “Gravity” and “Only Human” stay true to her signature style. However, other tracks like “Better Broken” and “Reminds Me” experiment with unexpected sounds. “Reminds Me” has pedal steel and almost country elements that reflect her appreciation of the “Yellowstone” vibe.

The album’s themes often touch on troubled relationships. Lyrics like, “So I walk on with this rage and with this hunger/With this insatiable desire to take you down/But it’s leading me into my darkest corner/Where there’s no peace to be found,” from “Only Way Out Is Through,” reveal insights into patterns of conceding too much in relationships.

McLachlan also reflects on patterns in her life, like remaining in relationships too long, and how she is still learning at 57. With her youngest daughter leaving for university, she also reflects on the changing dynamics of her life as an empty-nester.

McLachlan believes her best work stems from personal struggles. Music serves as a way to navigate difficulties. In contrast to many contemporary pop hits, her breakup songs remain civil. She states, Well, I’m not 19. I don’t have that same angst.

“Is This the End …,” has a Celtic feel. The creation was inspired by a conversation about the end of the world, and the song reflects her viewpoint about an uncertain future.

Lilith Fair Legacy and Future

The 30th-anniversary tour for Fumbling Towards Ecstasy served as a return to the spotlight for McLachlan. She is adjusting to her physical limitations as she gets older and learning to balance performance with her health.

McLachlan sees significant progress in the music world. She cites Taylor Swift’s use of all-female opening acts and Brandi Carlile’s endeavors as examples of women supporting each other. The original Lilith Fair fostered a sense of community, challenging industry norms that limited female artists.

She looks back on the 2010 Lilith Fair reboot, citing factors both within and outside her control for its failure. Yet, she values the original tour’s lasting impact. McLachlan states she wouldn’t revive Lilith Fair herself. She thinks it should be spearheaded by someone younger.

Regarding touring in the U.S., she has an 01 visa, which allows her to travel. However, she acknowledges possible future changes, especially considering her daughter’s college plans in California. In a world of increasing regulations, artists struggle to navigate these uncertainties.

The ASPCA Commercial and Public Perception

McLachlan acknowledges the popularity of the ASPCA commercial. It has introduced her music to many viewers, especially older adults. However, she admits she is often perceived as a very sensitive person. She states, I’m just going to keep on being me, and people can like it or not.

According to a recent study by the Recording Industry Association of America, female artists accounted for 35% of the top 100 albums in 2023, an increase from previous years (RIAA 2024).