I’m forgoing today’s Random Weekend selection to close out my short series on Brandi Carlile. At first I figured I’d given her most recent album enough exposure on the blog (four songs before this one), but it didn’t feel right to leave it out.

Released in 2018, By the Way, I Forgive You was the record that finally brought Carlile the widespread recognition she’s deserved since her debut. She won a Grammy for Best Americana Album, and competed for Album, Song and Record of the Year.

The latter two nominations were for the phenomenal song ‘The Joke,’ which Carlile performed at the Grammys ceremony to tremendous acclaim.

By the Way, I Forgive You is Carlile’s best album yet, a gorgeous synthesis of everything she’s excelled at throughout her career. It features some of her softest and hardest moments on record, and mines a wide range of emotional territory with sensitivity and wisdom.

‘Fulton County Jane Doe’ is one of my favorite tracks. It’s based on the true story of an unidentified young woman found beaten to death in Fulton County, Georgia. Carlile and the twins wrote this tribute to a woman who was somebody’s baby before her unfortunate end.

That wraps up my quick dive into Brandi Carlile’s catalog. In a recent New York Times profile, she revealed that she has been writing and recording during quarantine and a new album is due out later this year. I can’t wait.