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Charlotte Cornfield's New Album Explores Motherhood and Character
31 Mar
Summary
- Cornfield's sixth album, Hurts Like Hell, reflects on new motherhood.
- The album features collaborators like Feist, Buck Meek, and El Kempner.
- Cornfield uses character studies to broaden her storytelling scope.

Toronto songwriter Charlotte Cornfield has released her sixth album, Hurts Like Hell, a collection that embraces country influences and explores themes of new motherhood and character-driven narratives. This release follows significant life changes for Cornfield, including the birth of her daughter in 2025 and her signing to Merge Records.
Produced by Philip Weinrobe, the album features contributions from notable artists such as Leslie Feist, Buck Meek, El Kempner, and Bridget Kearney. Cornfield, who has worked solo for 15 years, attributes parenthood to fostering a more collaborative approach to her music. The 10 tracks on Hurts Like Hell showcase her broadened storytelling, often stepping outside her own immediate experiences.
Cornfield’s lyrical focus has evolved from hyper-personal details to creating distinct characters. Songs like "Lost Leader" present a cautionary tale of a faded musician, while "Long Game" wistfully recalls young adulthood. The album's distinct twang, enhanced by pedal steel guitar, blends well with Cornfield's witty lyricism, creating a sound that resonates with country radio sensibilities.