Recently

Released in 1987, Recently marked Joan Baez's first studio album in eight years and served as a significant stylistic update. Moving away from the purely acoustic arrangements that defined her early career, the album incorporates 1980s production values, including synthesizers and more complex percussion, though it remains rooted in her folk-activist identity. The record is notable for its eclectic selection of covers, ranging from Dire Straits' 'Brothers in Arms' to Peter Gabriel's 'Biko' and U2's 'MLK', demonstrating Baez's ability to reinterpret contemporary rock through a folk lens. The album's thematic core is heavily influenced by the anti-apartheid movement, featuring songs like 'Asimbonanga' (originally by Johnny Clegg) and the aforementioned 'Biko'. Critically, it was seen as a successful comeback that showcased a more versatile, lower-register vocal performance while maintaining her status as a premier song interpreter and social conscience.