Katie Gavin Showcases Her Artistic Vision in New Album ‘What A Relief’
Photo by Dork Magazine
Katie Gavin, the dynamic lead singer from indie pop band MUNA steps into the spotlight with her solo album, What A Relief. This album marks an evolution for the singer as she demonstrates her unique voice and talents in her debut album. With a blend of reflective lyrics with soothing guitar sounds, this album delivers a take on themes such as love, loss, and healing. This project is the first away from the band for any of the three since it formed in 2013 and serves as a separate entity from the beloved bands. These songs have been written over the past seven years and offer an insight into Gavin’s artistry.
“The Baton” talks about the cycle of life in a slow country fused sound. Feeling deeply personal, the song examines relationships and even explores themes of motherhood. The lyrics, “I would tell my daughter / She must be her mother / ’Cause I can only take her as far as I can go / And on that very same day / She joins a kind of relay” talk about how the singer will tell her future daughter to continue breaking the cycle of generational trauma, acknowledging there is trauma yet to be solved but wants her daughter to guide her healing, describing how she will pass on the “baton” of generational healing.
The track, “Sparrow,” serves as a highlight of this record, as it opens with the sounds of birds, and with a guitar melody, Gavin sings “Come winter, come winter / I lost my lover / Just like the birds / She’d up and gone.” establishing the central theme of heartbreak and loss and comparing it to longing for a sparrow’s call. The seasonal imagination captures the haunting yet beautiful reflection on the impact of losing someone you love. The melody accompanied by bird chirps delivers a calm yet rich interpretation of grief.
The closing track, “Today,” is a self-reflection that uses vivid imagery to create a deep emotional journey. The use of natural and spiritual imagery invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences of struggle and redemption. "The closing line, “And I'll find my way / 'Cause I was given today,” encapsulates a sense of hope that embraces the opportunity to grow and change while at the same time suggesting an awakening to the gift of life, encouraging to listeners to navigate their path with renewed purpose and intention.
What A Relief showcases Katie Gavin’s evolution as an artist, beautifully capturing the complexities of love, self-discovery, and healing with smooth guitar riffs and country-infused sounds that keep listeners engaged. For fans of MUNA and new listeners, this album offers a refreshing perspective on personal growth and emotional resilience. Katie Gavin has crafted an album that resonates with authenticity and that inspires her to focus on self-growth. This album is just not a collection of tracks, but a celebration of love and the power of letting go. Catch Katie Gavin on tour this fall now.
