The Starlighter

Released in 2018, The Starlighter finds Shawn Colvin interpreting the 'Lullabies and Night Songs' songbook originally illustrated by Maurice Sendak and composed by Alec Wilder. Moving away from the folk-pop polish of her 90s heyday, this record is a minimalist exercise in chamber folk. Recorded with producer and keyboardist Doug Petty, the album emphasizes Colvin's signature 'breathy' vocal style, which is placed high and dry in the mix for maximum intimacy. While it is categorized as a children's album, critics noted its crossover appeal for adults, citing the sophisticated arrangements and the lack of typical 'kids' music' artifice. It serves as a spiritual successor to her earlier holiday work, focusing on themes of protection, nightfall, and quietude. The album stands out in her catalog for its extreme restraint, eschewing her typical rhythmic, percussive guitar style for a more fluid, fingerpicked, and piano-led approach.