Nothing's Gonna Stand In My Way Again, Lydia Loveless, CD

2023 release. A follow-up to her critically acclaimed 2020 LP Daughter, Nothing's Gonna Stand in My Way Again continues the evolution of Loveless (she/her/they/them): a fiercely brave writer who bluntly assesses their life in song. Their trademark candidness and razor-sharp wit remain as they lay bare their raw pain-struggles with alcohol and depression, a breakup with their longtime boyfriend, and uncertainty about the future-but here Loveless' voice is wiser and more controlled. And while she holds onto a vintage country heart and a heartland rock soul, this album also presents something new and matured: a sound akin to Rumors and Tusk-era Fleetwood Mac. Nothing's Gonna Stand in My Way Again (named one of Pitchfork's most anticipated albums of the year) is not only a break-up record drifting back to some of the best of it's kind, like Richard & Linda Thompson's Shoot Out the Lights, Superchunk's Foolish and, of course, Rumors. It's also a reminder to keep improving oneself, taking ownership and moving forward-alone, if needed. Captivating and complex, it's a triumphant moment from an artist who's continuing their stride