The Gospel of Getting Free is the third album from New York-based singer-songwriter Lara Taubman. The record completes a trilogy of sorts, as the artist writes from a deeply personal perspective about her own trauma. The sunrise is finally visible on the horizon, however, as The Gospel of Getting Free is her most positive, hopeful work yet, suggesting a level of healing and moving forward lyrically. Inspired by everyone from George Harrison to PJ Harvey, there’s a rootsy Americana sound here that is subverted with a knowing indie twist as Taubman presents her brightest collection of songs.
From the travelogue narrative of the album opener “Home At Last,” it’s clear that this album represents the completion of a cycle begun with her first album Revelation from 2020. Taubman still doesn’t shy away from darker subject matter as “Sugar” deals with the subject of addiction, but it’s sung and written about with a wink and a touch of humor, as if viewed with the relief of a rearview mirror. There’s an admission on “Love is the Rule” that there are still mountains to climb, but it’s nevertheless a beautifully refreshing sense of calm that descends over the proceedings here. Therefore, The Gospel of Getting Free is in many ways Taubman’s greatest artistic statement yet.
