Suzanne Vega: Flying with Angels (2025)
Vega was always a little different from other folk-influenced songwriters (Tom’s Diner, Marlena on the Wall, Luka) and here does it again with a terrific song Chambermaid which uses the tune of Dylan’s I Want You to have the chambermaid he mentions comment on her life, Dylan and more. Razor sharp and fun. Elsewhere she goes to Ireland (Galway), touches 1970s soul (Love Thief) and jangle-folk (Speaker’s Corner), and celebrates Lucinda Williams (Lucinda). There’s also the deathly serious Last Train From Mariupol about the Russian invasion of Ukraine: “God himself was on the last train frightened by all he was seeing”. Her first studio album in nine years and worth the wait.
Next: Suzanne Vega, Solitude Standing; Rickie Lee Jones, Pirates and Pieces of Treasure
