Callaghan is the performing name of the UK born Georgina Callaghan, who started penning songs in her early teens. By 2009, she was seeing plenty of exposure in her own country and even got the attention of Shawn Mullins, who produced her well-received first album Life In Colour
. The songstress immediately drew comparisons to Sarah McLachlan and Sheryl Crow, and her diverse output of folk, pop, and country made Callaghan's presence in the States much more visible.
Fast-forward four years. Callaghan has relocated to Atlanta from London and has several years of touring under her belt going into her sophomore album A History Of Now. Though four years in the lives of some people doesn't mean much, to Callaghan it's been a fulfilling and humbling ride that becomes obvious in her soaring, optimistic song writing.
The leadoff track “Crazy Beautiful Life” is proof of just how fantastic her career is going. It’s a laidback, feel-good song with organs, and undoubtedly an autobiographical account of Callaghan's glorious new life. By the second track, we are introduced to one of her strengths – tender balladry. “Who Would I Be” provides us with a contemplative and well thought out tune to listen to when you just want to mull things over. Later on, “I'll Take You Away” is an even better ballad with light keys and the sort of tug on your heartstrings mood that seems like it was made for a Nicholas Sparks movie.
Country influences are another avenue Callaghan explores, albeit in a very pop friendly fashion. The bouncy, upbeat “Best Year” and the more romantic “When You Loved Me” could easily be radio hits, though the aching pipes of “Lost” are her finest moment vocally.
Though she's not doing anything we haven't already heard, and it's very likely you'll be reminded of artists like Shania Twain, Bonnie Raitt, or any of the aforementioned stars, Callaghan is fantastic at her craft and A History Of Now is just so easy to embrace.