It has been a minute. Honestly, it has been more than a minute—it’s been over a decade since Sarah McLachlan released a full collection of new, original songs. For fans who grew up with the ethereal, gut-wrenching vulnerability of Fumbling Towards Ecstasy or the massive success of Surfacing, the wait for the new album Sarah McLachlan has felt like an eternity. But then, on September 19, 2025, Better Broken finally arrived.
It isn't just another adult contemporary record. It is a survival manual.
Sarah has always had this uncanny ability to make pain sound beautiful, but this record feels different. It’s scrappier. It was born out of a world that feels like it’s fraying at the edges, and you can hear that tension in the production. Working with Tony Berg (the guy behind the lush, indie sounds of Phoebe Bridgers and boygenius) was a genius move. It pulled her out of her comfort zone. Gone are the days of perfectly polished, shimmering layers only; instead, we get something raw, urgent, and deeply human.
The Heart of Better Broken
Why did she wait so long? Well, life happens. Between raising her daughters and continuing her work with the Sarah McLachlan School of Music, the muse wasn't exactly shouting. But then the world got loud. Sarah mentioned in a press release that the lyrics came from a place of asking how we keep our heads above water when everything is falling apart.
Basically, the album is a catharsis.
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The title track, "Better Broken," sets the tone immediately. It’s about the fortitude you find after the storm hits. It’s not about being "fixed"; it’s about acknowledging that the cracks are where the light gets in. Cheesy? Maybe in someone else's hands. In hers? It’s a gut punch.
A Mother-Daughter Reckoning
One of the most talked-about moments on the record is "Gravity." This isn't just another love song. It’s actually a incredibly honest look at the combative relationship she had with her older daughter. They even went to counseling together.
Imagine being Sarah McLachlan and hearing that your child feels "unvalidated" by you. That is heavy stuff.
She wrote "Gravity" as a peace offering. It’s a way of saying, "I’ve always loved you, and you’re perfect as you are," even when the communication lines were totally down. It’s that kind of radical honesty that makes this new album Sarah McLachlan feel so vital. She isn't hiding behind metaphors anymore.
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The Sonic Shift: From Lilith Fair to Sound City
Recording at Sound City in Los Angeles brought a certain weight to the tracks. Having Wendy Melvoin (yes, from Prince and the Revolution) on guitar and Matt Chamberlain on drums gives the songs a backbone that some of her more recent work lacked.
Take the song "Reminds Me." It features Katie Gavin from MUNA. If you told a fan in 1997 that Sarah would be collaborating with one of the biggest names in modern indie-pop, they might have been confused—but it works perfectly. It bridges the gap between the Lilith Fair era and the current "sad girl pop" movement that Sarah essentially pioneered.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Comeback
Some critics want to pigeonhole Sarah as a "legacy artist" who just plays the hits. And sure, her 30th-anniversary tour for Fumbling Towards Ecstasy in 2024 was a massive nostalgia trip. But Better Broken proves she isn't interested in just being a museum piece.
The tracklist is a rollercoaster of personal and political:
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- "One in a Long Line": A fierce anthem railing against the erosion of women's rights. It’s Sarah at her most political, and it’s about time.
- "Only Way Out Is Through": A classic McLachlan ballad with a modern, darker edge.
- "Rise": A song that looks at the news and tries to find a reason to keep going.
People think she only does "sad dog" music because of those infamous ASPCA commercials. But if you actually listen to "Wilderness" or "The Last to Go," you realize she’s exploring anger, resilience, and even a bit of cynicism. It’s a complex record. It’s not just for crying in your car—though it’s great for that, too.
The Documentary Connection
The release of the album coincided with a new documentary called Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery – The Untold Story. It premiered at TIFF and is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+. Seeing the footage of her in the 90s, fighting for women to be heard on the radio, really puts the new music in perspective. She’s been doing the work for decades. Better Broken is just the latest chapter in a very long, very influential book.
Honestly, the most impressive thing about the album is that it doesn't try to sound like 1994. It sounds like 2025. It sounds like someone who has lived through a lot and still thinks the world is worth singing about.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're looking to dive into this new era, don't just put it on as background music.
- Listen to "Gravity" and "Rise" back-to-back. It shows the range from the intensely personal to the broadly societal.
- Watch the "Better Broken" music video. Directed by Lauren Wade, it captures that shadowy, piano-driven atmosphere that Sarah does better than anyone.
- Check the "Better Broken Tour" dates. She's hitting major cities like New York, Chicago, and LA. Seeing these songs live, especially with the newer, grittier arrangements, is a whole different experience than the studio versions.
- Look for the Target Exclusive. If you're a physical media nerd, the bonus tracks are actually worth the extra trip.
The new album Sarah McLachlan isn't just a comeback; it's a reminder that vulnerability is a superpower. It took nine years to get here, but once you hear the first few notes of the title track, you'll realize it was worth the wait.