Sara Groves – ‘Floodplain’ album review

Mom/wife/singer/songwriter (advertised in that order) Sara Groves has never been one to chase Dove Awards or radio airplay, though on her ninth album in 18 years, she takes an even more unvarnished approach than usual. Floodplain finds the acclaimed troubadour touching on “want and provision, personal struggles and empathy” after both a season of depression and anxiety, alongside her increasing role with International Justice Mission (where she and her husband advocate for victims of human trafficking). With all that in mind, the 13 pensive pop tracks have a heavy yet hopeful heart placed strikingly across her own production, plus tasteful touches from Steve Brewster, Matt Pierson, Scott Dente, Daniel Phelps and Brown Bannister. The title track is amongst the many beautiful ballads on the collection and also one of the most personal as she pleads for the Lord to sent a lifeboat for her struggles, while the chilling “On Your Mark” and the acoustic gallop “Second Guess Girl” add respective elements of embracing grace and increasing self-confidence to this compelling new chapter.