Character (Rachael Sage album)


Character is the fourteenth studio album by singer-songwriter Rachael Sage, released on March 6, 2020. Described as an "inspirational tribute to survivorship", the album was written as Sage was recovering from endometrial cancer.
The first single from the album, "Bravery's On Fire", is lyrically a reflection inspired by her illness. All of the song's proceeds go towards women's cancer research.

Production and release

For this album, Sage was inspired by asking herself, "What comprises character?" On the album's cover art, she poses holding a mask next to her face.
The album's songs reflect on themes such as compassion, gratitude, authenticity, optimism, mindfulness, forgiveness, vulnerability, and resilience, as well as issues surrounding codependence.
The album was preceded by four singles: "Bravery's On Fire" in October 2019, a cover of Ani DiFranco's 1990 song "Both Hands" in January 2020, title track "Character" and "Blue Sky Days" in February 2020. In May 2020, Sage premiered a figure-skating-themed music video for "Blue Sky Days" and in July the song entered Billboard's Mainstream Top 40 Indicator Chart.
Character was released on digital platforms such as Spotify, on vinyl and as a 2-CD Deluxe version which comes as a hard cover book, similarly to Sage's 2018 album Myopia. Bonus tracks include acoustic versions of "Bravery's On Fire" and "Blue Sky Days". A shorter radio version of the title track, which on the album runs at over six-and-a-half minutes, is also available.
The 2-CD Deluxe book version also includes a wearable mask design by Sage herself.

Tracklist

All songs written by Rachael Sage unless otherwise indicated.
  1. "Blue Sky Days" - 4:03
  2. "Bravery's On Fire" - 3:45
  3. "Both Hands" - 3:13
  4. "Damaged" - 4:48
  5. "Ohio" - 3:30
  6. "Cave" - 4:03
  7. "When I Was Young" - 3:37
  8. "Open The Door" - 3:54
  9. "Character" - 6:38
  10. "Be The Same" - 3:09
  11. "Atmosphere" - 3:41
  12. "Catch The Light" - 4:38
Deluxe bonus tracks

Personnel

Rachael Sage – producer, vocals, piano, guitar
Andy Zulla – producer
Andy Mac – drums
Doug Yowell – drums
Ward Williams – cello
Dave Eggar – cello
Kelly Halloran – violin
James Mastro – guitar
Mikhail Pivovarov – recording