In 2019, singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow decided she was done with music. She has had a great career – 11 studio albums selling over 50 million records worldwide, nine Grammy Awards, and several Top Ten hits. In addition to her songwriting, Crow has appeared in more than a dozen TV shows and three movies, as well as writing a cookbook. She is also a 2023 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
But this year, at age 62, Crow decided to take one more crack at an album, because she had written too many songs for them to go to waste. What followed is her twelfth studio album, Evolution, which was released Friday.
Crow taps into the pop and country sounds that brought her fame in the 1990s, and they work well together in this nine-track album as well.
The third song on the album, “Love Life,” has a more country take with swinging guitar, but also sounds like a ’90s Sheryl Crow hit such as “Everyday is a Winding Road;” both have upbeat music with storytelling lyrics. “Love Life” is easy to follow along with and has a fun “na na na” chorus and clapping part in the middle.
“Where?” is a slow, pretty ballad that showcases Crow’s voice. Even in her early 60s, Crow’s voice is heavenly. The song also has impactful lyrics such as “We will keep dancing through tomorrow / Like lovers spinning in the air / Oh, where? Where? / Where can we be free / If to be free means learning not to care?”
“Don’t Walk Away” takes a more pleading, heartbreaking meaning, and it also displays Crow’s vocal tones well. The song starts with piano chords and slowly introduces a string part later in the ballad. Crow’s voice and message are clear in the song.
The upbeat “Broken Record” starts with a slew of modern insults and can get a bit cringy, but has a good synth part and drum track.
The album has about an even mix between ballads and upbeat pop sounds, seen through swaying “Waiting In The Wings” and rocking “Do It Again.”
Overall, Evolution shows Crow made a good choice in returning to music.
