It often happens that music hides where you least expect it. For example, you browse new releases – listen to everything in a row – and suddenly come across an album and realize: it will stay with me for a long time. That’s how “Under My Canopy” became for me. New York folk-pop singer and activist Rachael Sage, together with The Sequins, is preparing an acoustic reimagining of her 2025 album “Canopy.” The new 15-track acoustic release comes out on October 9 via MPress/Virgin/Universal, transforming from a simple retelling into a full-fledged lyrical essay about resilience, memory, and the search for light.
Sage carefully blends Americana, neo-folk, and mainstream pop; Rachael calls this cocktail “an intimate musical sanctuary.” All the excess has been stripped away from the studio songs, leaving only the foundation: wood, string, bow, breath. The release opens with a light, weightless sway. The track “Just Enough” (Acoustic), recorded with The Sequins. A ear-catching gentle string introduction with trills of the harmonica transforms into a sentimental melody. The vocals – soft, with a slight breathiness and a barely detectable playfulness – erase past fears and traces of old grievances, giving the listener emotional comfort. The narrative smoothly expands its boundaries in the title track “Canopy” (Acoustic) recorded as a duet with Kristen Ford. Its chamber atmosphere is filled with the idea of mutual support. Sage calls the track an anthem of inclusivity, pacifism, and a caring attitude toward nature. I especially like her formulation of the invitation: to come together, feel safe, and begin by not causing harm. The canopy turns out to be an offer for everyone.
After the public scale of “Canopy,” the album returns to chamber closeness in “Belong To You” (Acoustic) (feat. The Sequins, Seth Glier). A poetic vow of loyalty – a promise to be strong for another and to stay nearby, no matter what. The phrase “I will be strong for you / I will belong to you” might seem like a promise of complete dissolution in another person. However, in Sage’s hands it sounds like a voluntary union: I am here, I will endure, I will not disappear at the first trial. The song is built on piano, violin, and acoustic guitar. The other details work for volume and depth. The two-part harmony allowed the track to occupy a special place in the album. And where there is room for loyalty, there is also a corner for nostalgic joy. In her cover of Buddy Holly’s classic hit “Everyday,” Sage combines light sadness with a carefree swing. Christie Lenée’s acoustic guitar, cello, rhythmic claps, and playful piano create a cozy, joyful mood, while Rachael’s bright vocals are filled with childlike zest and faith in love. It is important to note that the artist donates the proceeds from the maxi-single to the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation.
The album “Under My Canopy” shelters both romantics and those going through pain and social injustice. The elegiac “Colorized World,” with the soft sigh of the accordion and the velvety timbre of the cello, refers to the period of Sage’s coming out as a bisexual woman. A song about love and growing up acquires a tragic, sacred hue, paying tribute to the woman who once inspired the artist to write it. The degree of social responsibility reaches its peak in “Nexus” and “Underneath.” The first song is dedicated to the memory of Nexus Benedict – a nonbinary teenager who died after an assault by peers. The second addresses another painful topic of modern America – gun violence and school shootings. In proximity to the acoustic reading of Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America,” “Underneath” sounds like a prayer for a change of human hearts. The closing “Everyday (Chamber Version)” returns once again to Buddy Holly – now as a musical legacy that can be carefully retuned. The melody receives a chamber sound, the piano supports its light movement, and the string parts add elegance. I listened to Rachael’s vocals with great pleasure; its breathiness adds tenderness to the song.
I think such albums should appear more often. In such moments, you enjoy music not for some super-achievements (technical and performative), but because these songs are simply pleasant to listen to. “Under My Canopy” is a good and sincere album. A real find. Tremulous singing, simple arrangements, confident sound. Today it is becoming harder to find worthy recordings amid the diversity of music. Rachael Sage has shown the best in herself and outlined the scale of her creative ambitions.
