Jen Cloher has never shied away from probing lyrical examinations, delving into the loss of their parents and the final days of a romantic partnership on previous records. Cloher’s fifth album explores their Māori ancestry, right down to the cover photo depicting the songwriter in the Aotearoa river in which many generations of women in their family have bathed and swum. That sense of history pervades these songs, some even incorporating lyrics sung in te reo Māori: Opener “Mana Takatāpui” was inspired by Cloher learning the Māori word for “queer,” while the Theia co-write “He Toka-Tu-Moana” is delivered entirely in language. As with the Melbourne-based artist’s past work, there’s a consistent fearlessness to the subject matter, whether Cloher is questioning the potency of a protest song or lamenting climate change and stolen land. Musically, the album slips naturally between robust indie rock and unadorned folk, with a surprising foray into R&B-style swagger on the downright sultry “My Witch.” As ever, Cloher’s razor-sharp articulation makes sure that no lyric goes unappreciated.