Happenstance

Rachael Yamagata. RCA Victor.

Get your news from a source that’s not owned and controlled by oligarchs. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily.


This powerful debut is a must for those who like the concept
of Norah Jones, yet prefer more bite. Yamagata writes
classic, piano-based pop in the finest confessional
tradition, with rich melodies illuminating poignant tales
like “I’ll Find a Way” and “Reason Why.” But her terrific
voice tells another story: Tempered by an apprenticeship on
the Chicago funk scene, Yamagata’s singing has a raspy,
insistent edge that electrifies the material. In the soaring
“I Want You,” she seems determined to break through the
edges of the song; the sunny “1963” could be a feel-good R&B
classic. Add pithy lyrics that evoke the everyday grit of
relationships — the longing for a hug, the sight of a lover
walking out the door forever — and Happenstance can feel
uncomfortably true to life.

PLEASE—BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things it doesn’t like—which is most things that are true.

We’ll say it loud and clear: At Mother Jones, no one gets to tell us what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please do your part and help us reach our $150,000 membership goal by May 31.

payment methods

PLEASE—BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things it doesn’t like—which is most things that are true.

We’ll say it loud and clear: At Mother Jones, no one gets to tell us what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please do your part and help us reach our $150,000 membership goal by May 31.

payment methods

We Recommend

Latest

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Subscribe

Support our journalism

Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

Donate