On her second post–Christian music album, Jennifer Knapp continues to explore themes of love, loss, and personal identity with stubborn courage tempered by a sense of gratitude and compassion. Her rugged yet tender vocal gravitas and confessional songwriting style are applied to reflections on her Kansas roots (“Remedy,” “Neosho”), sketches of troubled romances (“The Tale,” “Come Back”), and upbeat affirmations of togetherness (“Why Wait”). Set Me Free's fusion of folk, blues, and alt-country lends the tracks a lean, sinewy power, allowing Knapp plenty of room to smolder and wail without restraint.
- Caedmon's Call
- Ginny Owens
- Margaret Becker
- Susan Ashton