Sara Bareilles Finds Light in Grief's Dark Shadows

Sara Bareilles' latest album, "Good Grief," tackles the difficult themes of loss and death, inspired by the passing of her long-time best friend. The project, her first studio album in seven years, seeks to find ways to celebrate and mourn simultaneously.

Bareilles confronts her grief head-on, placing songs directly tied to her friend's death early in the album. Surprisingly, these tracks often feature joyful melodies, exploring how silence can be a thief of connection. She reflects on personal experiences, finding wryness and even exultation in writing about her late best friend in real time.

The album continues to explore emotional exhaustion and complex feelings, often set to unexpected musical arrangements. Tracks touch upon themes of IVF struggles and the sociopolitical anxieties of the current era, including a powerful song about bodily autonomy.

Even songs with potentially harrowing titles, like "Nervous Breakdown," are delivered with a semi-comical jazz shuffle, highlighting Bareilles' ability to find lightheartedness amidst high anxiety. Ultimately, "Good Grief" serves as an invitation to commiserate and process misery through shared voices, guided by Bareilles' uplifting vocal performance.