Laws of Illusion Sarah McLachlan (CD)

It's been seven years since the double-platinum Afterglow, or any original material, but Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan is back.

Laws of Illusion mirrors a journey of love starting with the euphoria of love won, losing oneself in illusions of bliss and finally learning to let go.

McLachlan has had a roller-coaster of a life over the last few years, tying the knot, ending that marriage and raising two young daughters. That has added complexity to her emotional expression. The album can be seen as an autobiographical interpretation of love lost and found.

The opening track is the electronic chill-out Awakenings. But the angry, guitar-heavy piece is the only such track on the record, with most others falling into a similar style as first single Loving You is Easy. This floats along to a bouncy piano and drum backing, and a sweetly delivered chorus of 'Loving you is wondrous and pure/How long must I wait 'til I see your smile?' Forgiveness and Rivers of Love are soothing numbers perfect after a long, tiring day.

The songs have been thoughtfully ordered, moving from a dynamic opening to the calm of the closing track Love Come.

Laws of Illusion is not, perhaps, ideal summer listening, but its bittersweet message warms the corners of the soul.