Award-winning singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Michele Stodart has released her third album, Invitation, today via Keepsake Recordings.

Recorded at Echo Zoo Studios, Invitation is Michele’s third Solo album alongside her band The Magic Numbers. It’s been 7 years since Stodart’s last solo release and the album is written, arranged and produced by Michele, with additional production from long-standing collaborator Dave Izumi Lynch.

The album features Michele on vocals, guitars, bass and percussion, and has appearances from her brother and fellow member of The Magic Numbers, Romeo Stodart (piano), Andy Bruce (piano), Alice Phelps (harp), Will Harvey (violin and viola), CJ Jones (drums), Nick Pini (double bass), Joe Harvey-Whyte (pedal steel), Dave Izumi Lynch (synths).

The album artwork and illustrations of the crow, drawn by Joni Belaruski, symbolise some of the key themes of the album: the crow represents transformation, change and freedom.

The album starts with Tell Me. A strong start which immediately goes into the vocals without an intro, you find yourself instantly captivated by the melodic piano and Stodart’s emotive vocals which more than invite you in to her life’s experiences. The instrumentation in this song is beautifully played, delivering a very sombre feel!

The House is written in such a clever and relatable way that anyone who has suffered loss, will likely resonate with the words. It’s lyrics such as Now the garden’s overgrown, and the weeds have taken hold of the windows that really grabbed me! Those once thrived parts of your life that become somewhat forgotten during loss. Of course this is just my interpretation of the words. They may have a different meaning and may be interpreted differently to each listener. It’s worth listening to all the words.

Push & Pull – a song about being on the road and away from family hits a spot I’d imagine with many parents who travel for work.

I know I’m used to being out here on my own but it doesn’t mean that I don’t always want you right here.

As Michele is a mother, I would assume that line in particular is about being away from home from time to time. Mum guilt is real, no matter what our jobs are, we all feel we should be there constantly, every second! The melody has a gorgeous hook in places and the subtle piano is very impactful!

Current single These Bones is instrumental heaven. A song about relationship fails, the song has an addictive Jazz style to it. The beat, the bass, all of it are so enticing to listen to. It’s such a mesmerising tune that would be absolutely insane in a live setting! The attention to detail is on point, it’s such a well crafted song in its entirety. Without even one of those musical instruments, it wouldn’t be the song it is! It would still be great but each note and instrument has its place that is equally important!

Undone is perfect in its simplicity at the start. It begins as somewhat of a folk ballad and then builds up into more of a hypnotic, trip-hop, ambient styled track.

Come Dance With Me is coming into a more positive/optimistic vibe lyrically at times – finding that light in dark moments . Come Dance With Me, Let’s take to the road, let’s follow no footsteps, make a path of our own. The melody itself feels more cheerful in places even with guitar picking being tranquil. The melody is clever in its romanticised dance stylings in the piano and guitar about half way through. Freedom is felt towards the end in the violin and again piano as the melody feels lighter and refreshing!

The Good Fight is painfully relatable to probably most people. A song that is post breakup, the words are really piercing in their realism. It hurts to hear them in a way! The beauty in songs like this though, is making you feel less alone in your feelings and the way Stodart has covered pain and mental health throughout this record as a whole is beautifully done!

Closing the album with the song Drowning, I am always intrigued by the final track the most on every album that I listen to – as often, they are my favourite track. This seems to be the case again with this song. Well placed at the end and definitely intentional as the album tells a story! The song highlights depression and anxiety. Lyrics such as the knot in my stomach and the lump in my throat breathes heavy on my body making it harder to float

Yes I keep this dark aching pain, that anchors my shoulders beats the knee that I crave , to be this burning reminder of the mistakes I have made seems to touch on those triggers that often creep up on you! The instrumental close to the song is spellbinding.

Stodart’s vocals are enchanting, soothing and storytelling – making you want to sit in silence and listen to every word that she has to sing!

Stodart creates extraordinary music that is wonderfully picturesque. When you listen to her music, you can feel and see the art beyond the words and music.

Invitation is a therapeutic, serene and captivating album. It takes you on a scenic route throughout her personal life over the years and is one of those albums we will learn from the more we hear it and will mean more the more we hear it!

Catch Michele on tour over the next few months. Buy tickets here