JamFest Spotlight: Returning to Myself — Brandi Carlile’s Soulful Journey Captivates Critics and Fans

Brandi Carlile is back with a deeply personal, richly textured album that has critics and fans raving. Returning to Myself, released on October 24, 2025, via Interscope Records and Lost Highway, marks a striking return to the singer-songwriter roots that first captured hearts, while exploring new emotional and musical landscapes. Tonight, listeners can experience highlights from the album on the NRN Radio Show during Unveiling the Enchantment: A Very Special Handpicked New Release by Your Favorite Music Artist, a segment celebrating this week’s featured album and giving an inside look at Carlile’s latest work.

A Critical Acclaim Overview
Returning to Myself has earned universal acclaim, holding an impressive Metascore of 82 based on seven critic reviews. Every critic included in the survey praised the album, with no mixed or negative reviews recorded. This level of consensus underscores the album’s broad appeal and the emotional resonance it achieves across audiences and reviewers alike.

Variety called it a “singer/songwriter record in the classic sense,” noting that Carlile channels the intimate, transformative qualities of 1970s LPs. Each track offers a chance to slow down, listen closely, and perhaps feel life-changing moments in subtle increments, whether through a delicate guitar lick or a lyrical exhortation to live fully. Paste Magazine highlighted Carlile’s vulnerability, emphasizing how the album opens her soul without resorting to melodrama, creating a gentle but powerful emotional impact. Glide Magazine described the album as “beautifully and articulately rendered,” noting Carlile’s comfort in embracing new approaches while remaining unmistakably herself.

Classic Rock Magazine and Mojo also praised the album’s variety, from the storytelling brilliance of A Long Goodbye to the dramatic rock of Church & State and the church-like harmonies in You Without Me and Joni. Rolling Stone offered a slightly more tempered review, pointing out that the album shines brightest when Carlile is fully immersed in her introspective storytelling, though even their critique acknowledged her artistry. AllMusic emphasized the album’s restrained elegance, demonstrating Carlile’s enduring gifts as a confident and compassionate communicator.

Lyrical and Musical Themes
Thematically, Returning to Myself is a study in resilience, reflection, and authentic self-expression. Following a four-year gap since her 2021 album In These Silent Days, Carlile returns to the studio with a wealth of experiences and perspectives, translating them into songs that are at once intimate and universally relatable. From contemplative piano-driven tracks like You Without Me to country-infused storytelling in No One Knows Us, each song reflects her nuanced approach to life, loss, love, and self-discovery.

Musically, Carlile blends acoustic folk, soft rock, and subtle country influences with layered harmonies and precise instrumentation, resulting in a polished yet heartfelt sound. Fans will notice both familiar touches of Carlile’s earlier work and new stylistic explorations that demonstrate her artistic growth, including tributes to musical influences like Joni Mitchell, which enrich the album’s emotional and historical context.

Fan Reception and Highlights
Audience reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, mirroring the critical consensus. Listeners are drawn to the sincerity of Carlile’s lyrics, her dynamic vocal range, and the emotional honesty that permeates every track. Standout songs that have resonated most include Church & State, You Without Me, and the title track Returning to Myself, which acts as the album’s philosophical and emotional centerpiece.

The album’s storytelling, lyrical depth, and musical craftsmanship make it an essential listen for long-time Brandi Carlile fans and newcomers seeking meaningful, soul-stirring music. Its thoughtful blend of reflection and resilience positions Carlile as both a modern-day troubadour and a voice of authenticity in today’s musical landscape.

Tonight, tune in to NRN Radio Show for Unveiling the Enchantment: A Very Special Handpicked New Release by Your Favorite Music Artist, where Returning to Myself will be explored in depth, offering listeners the chance to hear selected tracks, behind-the-scenes insights, and the stories that inspired one of the year’s most compelling releases.

With Returning to Myself, Brandi Carlile has crafted an album that is emotionally powerful, musically sophisticated, and universally engaging — a record that confirms her status as one of the preeminent voices of her generation. For more coverage, interviews, and full reviews, JamFest continues to be your premier destination for music news, analysis, and artist features.

Listen to Returning to Myself on NRN Radio Show tonight and experience the artistry that critics are calling “universally acclaimed” and fans are celebrating worldwide.