Bring Me the Workhorse

Here in the Cube Farm, behind tinted windows that do not open, I’ve found myself idle a few times this morning—unaware that, at some point, I stopped working to listen. Some music has the power to do that—to stir life within you, lift you out of a gray sky and away from a desk of scattered papers. Bring me the Workhorse has been that for me today.

These days, I resist writing anything that feels like a review, but an album this interesting deserves to be passed on. Shara Worden released this debut in August of last year. Her voice impresses me enough as a backing presence on stage with Sufjan Stevens and on his records, but here I find it completely arresting—pure and affecting.

I’ve listened to the song “Dragonfly” three times already and found a live in-studio recording, from a radio station in Austin, to share with you. It’s my favorite song so far and one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard in a while. This recording doesn’t match the album version, which I hope you will find your way to.

Come and fly away with me, Worden sings effortlessly. And just as effortlessly, she takes you—especially through a good pair of headphones.