Variety sat down with Sarah McLachlan as the iconic singer-songwriter prepares to release Better Broken—her first album of original material in 11 years—on September 19. What began as a potential swan song transformed into a creative rebirth, with McLachlan rediscovering her love for the studio through collaborations with producers Tony Berg (Phoebe Bridgers) and Will Maclellan. “Once I started recording, I thought, What was I thinking? This is where I belong,” she laughs.
The album’s emotional centerpiece is “Gravity,” a raw ballad about repairing her fractured relationship with eldest daughter India. “For years, her anger masked crippling anxiety,” McLachlan reveals, explaining how family counseling helped them rebuild. “The song says, You’re perfect as you are—it’s my apology and promise.” She painstakingly ensured India’s comfort with the deeply personal lyrics before release: “When art helps others feel less alone, that’s the gift.”
Other tracks trace McLachlan’s journey through heartbreak (“Better Broken”) to new love, with feminist anthems like “One in a Long Line” (featuring her daughters’ vocals) addressing rolled-back reproductive rights. “My girls are of childbearing age—this fight is theirs now,” says the artist, who nearly shelved politically charged material over cancel culture fears. “But silence helps no one.”
A Lilith Fair documentary (premiering at TIFF) revisits her festival’s legacy as McLachlan gears up for dual tours—completing her postponed Fumbling Towards Ecstasy 30th anniversary run before showcasing Better Broken. “Eleven years was too long,” she reflects. “Turns out I still have plenty to say.”
Key Highlights:
- Studio Spark Reignited: “Forgotten” demos from 13 years ago resurfaced during sessions
- Unexpected Duet: Muna’s Katie Gavin joins on “Reminds Me” for a genre-defying love song
- Lilith Legacy: Proud of new doc capturing the festival’s “joy and challenges”
- Tour Plans: Fumbling anniversary shows through November, Better Broken dates to follow
For McLachlan, the album’s title says it all: “The cracks let the light in. That’s where healing begins.”
The Pop Blog general news and updates, mostly from press releases and conferences.