Stella Donnelly - Love and Fortune

There's no better way to describe the overarching theme of Stella Donnelly's third album than with the opening lyrics to lead single 'Baths', where she declares that "there's a big strike crossing through my old life."

She has spent the last few years learning that when one door closes, another opens, and there's always an opportunity to start again, no matter what stage of life you're at. 'Love and Fortune' sees her reevaluate her past and all the decisions that led her to this point in time, all while approaching the future with a sense of cautious optimism.

The album features much more stripped-back arrangements than its predecessors, relying on simple guitar or piano melodies that give Donnelly enough room to tackle the difficult subject matter woven throughout without overcomplicating or detracting from it. 'Standing Ovation' starts simply and quietly before building into a spritely mash of drums and guitar, while the melodies on 'Being Nice' are reminiscent of those featured on 'Beware of the Dogs'.

Thematically, it's a breakup album, but not in the stereotypical sense. Sure, there are a few tracks where she's deep in the process of grieving a romantic relationship: 'Feel It Change' places her right in the middle of that period where emotions are very heightened, resentment is bubbling, and neither of you has anything better to do than point fingers. 'Ghosts' is full of melancholy as she notices herself being erased from her former partner's life, but she also touches on the importance of both familial and self-love in the title track, with its references to reading self-help books and returning to your adolescent ways as methods of coping when times are tough.

Whilst she may have had her initial doubts about returning to making music, 'Love and Fortune' proves that as long as she's still creating, she's very much on the right path.