Lacking some of the focus that made her debut album so stunning, is nevertheless a thoroughly satisfying second album from . Instead of backing away from the rustic folkiness of , deepens her bleak, clear-eyed world view, which makes her spare, arrangements all the more powerful. On occasion, the performances and songs are a bit too studied to be truly effective, but those moments are fleeting -- offers ample proof that is a talented, individual songwriter and that her debut was no fluke. ~ Thom Owens