Dig It

With expectations high, Ingrid Michaelson released her fourth full-length studio album last August. After the outstanding success of her sophomore album “Boys and Girls” (2007), the follow-up “Be Ok” (2008) was a disappointment for some. With “Everybody,” Michaelson admitted she was going for a bigger sound and it shows.

Michaelson has built on her traditional double-tracked harmony techniques and branched out from the standard piano and guitar instrumentals to include arranged strings and even a drum machine for extra layers on all fronts. Other contributions to this album come from past collaborations. Having opened for Jason Mraz during his European tour and having worked with Joshua Radin for the single, “Sky,” in 2007, their sound has definitely made its way into her style.

Michaelson has steeped the entire album in her personal history. Similar to her other works, the themes center around love, loss and moving on. Through emotive piano ballads like “Sort Of” and “The Chain,” R&B-esque songs like “Incredible Love,” and catchy ukulele tunes like the optimistic “Everybody” and “Mountain & The Sea,” she weaves stories of love and break-ups. She rounds it all out with the explosive single “Maybe,” declaring that anything is possible.

When it comes to public opinion, there are mixed results. Before its release, Michaelson shared her thoughts through several interviews. Many fans who heard her intentions and went in with high expectations were left disappointed; others argued that it helped put the album in context.

In the end, it is easy to get hooked on the catchy lyrics of “Everybody” and especially the captivating “Maybe.” All-in-all, most agree: the album is an important step in Michaelson’s musical development. Here, she experiments with new sounds, discovering what works and what doesn’t. Perhaps she will eventually find the right mix in her journey from innocent beginnings to a search for something bigger.

For people who like: Sara Bareilles, Meiko, and Jenny Owen Youngs