Recognized for a delicate and haunting voice, matched with extraordinary songwriting skills, Sarah McLachlan is one of the most critically acclaimed singer-songwriters to emerge from the ’90s era. Debuting in 1988 with her album Touch, her stardom reached a new level in 1991 with Solace, but only blasted off into a new stratosphere with 1993’s Fumbling Towards Ecstasy and 1997’s Surfacing. A time when she was climbing charts with singles like 1993’s Possession,” 1995’s “I Will Remember You,” 1997’s “Building a Mystery,” and “Sweet Surrender,” it would be impossible to overlook the massive success of 1998’s chart-topping “Adida” and “Angel.”
Earning herself multiple Grammy Awards, McLachlan has remained active in the decades that followed, with standout moments, including not one but two Christmas albums: 2006’s Wintersong and 2016’s Wonderland. Also busy running the Sarah McLachlan School of Music (a non-profit organization providing free musical education) and managing time outside music to be with her family, she is a lady of many talents. However, don’t look now, but it has been 9 years since McLachlan released an album. A long time ago, it was eleven years since 2014’s Shine On, which was McLachlan’s last album of non-Christmas-oriented music. Good things come to those who wait, though, because on September 19, 2025, Sarah McLachlan made a return with the album Better Broken.
Her tenth overall studio album was released through Concord Records and is a very personal collection of songs based on McLachlan’s observations of life and the world at hand. A highly complex time to be alive, as a songwriter, her objective was to create songs that could provide listeners with some escape from it all, taking whatever they may in the process. A total of eleven new songs, McLachlan teamed with Tony Berg and Will Maclellan to handle production, working with a list of exceptional musicians to add texture and color to the tracks.
Peaking in the top 100 of the US Billboard 200 Charts and the top 20 of the Canadian Albums Charts, the album starts with the lead song and title track, “Better Broken.” A great way to break the ice, it is a thoughtful and delicate song that exquisitely showcases McLachlan’s singing. From here, “Gravity” continues with beautiful arrangements and soft vocals before “The Last to Go” pulls you in deeper, allowing your mind to wander.
Slightly breaking away from the overall relaxing mood, “Only Way Out Is Through” adds some drama to the set, before there are hints of Country with “Reminds Me,” perhaps due to a collaboration with Katie Gavin. This is before “One In a Long Line” picks up the pace, and “Only Human” really hits home. Then, with more positive vibes and delightful melodies, you have “Long Road Home” before the carefree “Rise,” the thoughtful “Wilderness, ” and the closing song “If This Is the End…” adds some depth and intensity to the whole concept.
Simply put, Sarah McLachlan is a fantastic singer who is spreading positivity. An impactful return, Better Broken is an album that will ease your mind and give your tired soul a chance to rest. Sometimes, just what you need in the fast-paced, hectic world, Cryptic Rock gives Better Broken 4 out of 5 stars.
Sarah McLachlan – Better Broken / Concord Records (2025)
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