Laura Sumner has been writing and performing for decades, dating back to her teenage years playing in bars across Connecticut. Born in 1967, she moved around the country as a child and drew inspiration from artists like Neil Young, Neil Diamond, Joni Mitchell, and Carly Simon. She released her debut album, “Dreamology,” in 2007, before stepping away from music for several years following her father’s death. Her return came with the 2022 EP “Red Clay Blue Sky,” a record rooted in Americana and family themes that received positive attention.
“Purple Raging Flower,” her latest release, finds Sumner working again with Marc Swersky on six songs inspired by her experiences navigating midlife on her own; the songs remain emotionally intimate throughout. The songwriting draws from a classic confessional tradition, while the production stays understated and contemporary, supported by a strong group of musicians.
“Paperdoll” opens with a direct reflection on the imbalance of power in relationships. Written while a relationship was unraveling, the song captures the tension between strength and vulnerability. The performance carries a raw immediacy that feels almost live.
“The LIE” follows with a restless sense of movement and anticipation, evoking the feeling of driving toward someone in the middle of the night. The opening drums create a nostalgic atmosphere before the song settles into its reflective, road-worn mood. Traces of the confessional songwriting associated with Laurel Canyon artists also emerge, particularly in the way Sumner builds emotional scenery around the listener.
“Goodtime Girl” offers a straightforward portrait of a woman unwilling to commit. The song carries a bittersweet tone, simply observing the emotional realities of keeping things casual. “He’s a Gypsy” arrives right after it with a wandering energy that perfectly matches the song’s restless emotional core. The mid-tempo arrangement reinforces the feeling of distance and impermanence, while Sumner sketches the portrait of someone who never seems fully grounded.
“Santa Rosa Sky” revisits one of Sumner’s earlier compositions, now reshaped to fit naturally within the record’s emotional landscape. The song carries a bittersweet atmosphere filled with memory, distance, and emotional uncertainty, blending seamlessly with the contemplative tone that defines the record. “The Key” closes the EP on a more direct note, with Sumner addressing a man and expressing her desire for something stable and lasting. Its emotional clarity makes it a fitting conclusion to the project.
“Purple Raging Flower” is the work of an artist who has spent years refining both her voice and perspective. Like her previous release, the record remains deeply personal while offering a different emotional experience. Listeners drawn to singer-songwriters who write honestly from lived experience will likely find a strong connection here.
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