You Are Free – Cat Power

You Are Free stands out as a mesmerizing and emotionally complex record in Cat Power’s discography, marking her first album of original material in five years. Its rich emotional resonance and evolving sonic palette showcase Chan Marshall’s skill in blending simplicity with depth, allowing the album's subtleties to reveal themselves over time.

Critics have celebrated You Are Free for its serene yet arresting beauty and its capacity to unfold gently, rewarding listeners with its artistry. The album combines minimal instrumentation with haunting vocal delivery, creating a listening experience that feels both intimate and expansive. 

Reviews

"Every Cat Power album takes at least a few listens to fully reveal itself; You Are Free may take awhile longer than expected to unfold, but once it does, its excellence is undeniable." – AllMusic

"You Are Free is full of arresting, serene beauty, but as an album—as that quantifiable object—it has composite failings. Sans a handful of lesser inclusions and tributes, the imaginary, shorter version of You Are Free is flawless." – Pitchfork

"Melodically exquisite, this is a triumph of minimalism." – E! Online

"Marshall has a voice as distinctive and enchanting as Billie Holiday, capable of summoning the same emotions in the listener — awe, lust, bewilderment, a burning desire to reach out and shelter the delicacy of it from all the crude harshness of the world." – Austin Chronicle

"Free may be her most beautiful album, as well as her cagiest: There are gaunt rock songs and ramshackle ballads, all painted with bold, sure strokes that belie her ambivalence." – Rolling Stone