Madison Cunningham may have arrived in the public's consciousness with
Revealer, the 2022 album that won her a Grammy Award, but on its follow-up, she finds her true voice. From the start, the Los Angeles musician effused promise ¿ as a singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, she seemed destined for trailblazing and became a sought-after collaborator by everyone from
Rufus Wainwright to former
Prince guitarist
Wendy Melvoin. In the aftermath of
Revealer's success, the pressure to make a follow-up was significant. Instead,
Cunningham took a detour, recording a full album cover of
Buckingham Nicks' 1973 debut with fellow L.A. string wizard
Andrew Bird. She also got divorced, suffered writer's block, fell in love again, and underwent a personal sea change. All of this informs
Ace, an album she wrote almost entirely in August 2024, a month that seemed to chart a new creative course for how
Cunningham wanted her music to be presented. It's a break-up album, certainly, but one that carries the hope and promise of a spring day that still bears traces of the winter behind it. Known for her intricate, guitar-centric songs, she takes a left turn and makes piano the centerpiece of
Ace, a move reminiscent of
Joni Mitchell's early-'70s prime.
Cunningham's proclivity for unpredictable, serpentine melodies remains, though here they feel more essential ¿ standouts like "Shore" and "My Full Name" are some of the most direct and emotionally affecting songs she's released. "Wake," a duet with
Fleet Foxes'
Robin Pecknold is another stunner, and her arrangements across the board are buoyant and tasteful, augmented with woodwinds and strings. Where
Revealer occasionally spilled into showy musical prowess,
Ace finds balance and takes
Cunningham's art to the next level. ~ Timothy Monger
