Nancy Carey Johnson is an artist who actually embodies the stories she sings. She is an extraordinarily talented Americana and folk singer-songwriter living in the pastoral surroundings of Poultney, Vermont. A native of Brooklyn, she blends her artistic life as a singer and novelist with the grounding, physical, daily job of a homesteader and hemp farmer. Her acoustic, folk-oriented soundscapes are imbued with a deeply felt, very organic connection to earth and the seasons.
Her musical journey continued with the release of her beautiful four-song EP, Shine Your Light, following the critical success of her first ten-track album, Chaos & Grace. Known for its emotionally charged vocal presence and earnest storytelling, this short album is a haven for anyone wrestling with the beautiful chaos of being human. Produced with producer Matt Smith at the legendary 6 String Ranch Studio in Austin, Texas.
This endeavor is really close to the bone, a fragile and exquisite tapestry of human existence shown with pure, unadulterated honesty. Shine Your Light is a mirror for the soul, a highly personal work of internal reckoning where a silent fight is conducted against the shadow of comparison, the heavy burden of self-doubt, and the hidden concerns that impede inquiring spirits from standing in their own truth. Johnson gradually removes the emotional armor we use for protection rather than superficial comfort or quick answers. In a beautifully choreographed four-song journey, humanity is reminded that even as the world outside grows dark, we have inside us a spark of the divine.
The powerful trip begins with the arresting, surprising turbulence of “Guano Loco.” This buoyant Americana ditty takes a deep dive into the turbulent psychological currents of human unreliability, depicting a magnetic but exceptionally volatile character whose erratic conduct drags everyone in their orbit into a whirlwind of chaos. Musically misleading simplicity is arrived at with a delicate ukulele line that opens the piece, weaving light, soothing layers that initially fill the listener with a false sense of confidence.
Yet the real brilliance of this arrangement is that the speed of the instruments begins to seem chaotic. The change of pace combined with the sinister quality of Johnson’s voice creates a tension that sounds like a panicked, overwhelmed mind. And so a truth as old as time is revealed. The human soul can be readily seduced by superficial glitter, only to be devastated by the storm beneath. The beginning chapter is crucial to the overall story of the EP, as it places the listener in the raw exterior reality, showing that before the inner self can be healed, the listener must first acknowledge and withstand the chaotic storms of the world.
From this outside craziness, an elegant smooth emotional pivot is made into the title track and spiritual center of the EP, “Shine Your Light.” If the last storm was the chaos of the world, this brilliant Americana-folk ballad is the holy, peaceful area where the self is restored. It opens with a quiet, ambient wash of violins that slowly morphs into a continuous, hopeful piano tune. Johnson’s stunning vocal performance defines this highlight, beginning as an intimate, sensitive whisper, then developing into a magnificent, forceful belt that wants to be heard.
Through soaring voices, a forceful and very compassionate statement is taken against the laborious, destructive habit of comparing our lives to others. Bit by bit, the heavy weight of self-doubt is slowly dissolved, and the searching spirit is encouraged to unapologetically fill its own place. This exquisite transition encapsulates the ultimate essence of the EP: the awareness that the light we seek in others is essentially a fire to be rekindled inside ourselves.
In recognizing this inner worth, a calmer, profound introspective shift takes place in the EP as it moves into the devastating loss of “She Let Him Go.” Here the attention shifts inside to explore the delicate, torturous skill of emotional surrender. The song leans toward a beautiful minimalist acoustic folk sound with sparse guitar chords that let every single phrase breathe. What makes this work so great is how Johnson delivers the lyrics. She starts off with a distant narration, which then gradually, almost imperceptibly, turns into a real, true sensation.
A failure to find a connection is not seen as a failure, but turning away becomes a silent gain of self-preservation. It is known that sometimes the greatest manifestation of self-love is the strength to untie ourselves from a common story that no longer allows the soul to blossom. This is really the test of the EP’s message: to shine, one must have the daring to abandon what is dead and to walk bravely into the empty space of the unknown.
Finally, the emotional adventure of the EP is culminated in a spectacular, transcendent manner with “Take Me To The River.” The last tune is a necessary cleansing ritual of rebirth, mixing rootsy gospel with parts of blues and traditional riverboat jazz. The orchestra swells to a swampy, cathartic climax of brass and gospel-like piano, crashing into the listener like a physical wave of sound that leaves the soul feeling cleaned, exhausted and invigorated all at once. Johnson sings with the intensity of one truly born again.
These healing waters are sent to the tired traveler to be made whole after the unpredictable madness of external upheaval, the internal struggle of self-worth and the heavy sadness of letting go. The scars of yesterday are not disregarded, they are celebrated as proof of survival. This is the moment where the entire EP reaches its final catharsis, as the searching spirit is left entirely rejuvenated with the knowledge that a clean slate is always ready to be claimed.
Looking more closely at these basic themes, there is a remarkable similarity between the EP’s emotional journey and the natural flow of our daily activities. The morning begins with a mad rush into the world, a busy reality beautifully captured by the frantic and unpredictable energy of “Guano Loco.” The struggle becomes an inner one as the afternoon wears on. In the quiet of a midday break, the trap of comparison and self-doubt is often encountered.
The grounding message of “Shine Your Light” is a vital reminder to trust our own inner flame rather than compare our private struggles to the curated lives of others. And at the end of the day, there’s an art to surrender that takes releasing all the worries and unmet expectations of the day. This evening reset is eloquently reflected in “She Let Him Go.” And then, when the night leads to rest, a symbolic cleansing takes place, preparing the mind for a new beginning just as “Take Me To The River” symbolizes a strong promise of regeneration and a clean slate for the morning to come.
I would strongly suggest that you take twenty calm minutes on an early evening to take in the full richness of this musical voyage. Best enjoyed in a cozy nook, perhaps at a window watching the changing hues of the sunset or on a tranquil porch in the company of the natural world. Close your eyes, put on a good set of earphones and allow the warm, earthy vocals of Nancy Carey Johnson to wash over your senses, softly leading the listener from the external storms of the day to a sanctuary of utter internal tranquility.
For more songs like this, follow Shine Your Light on Spotify, Shine Your Light on Soundcloud, Shine Your Light on Instagram, nancycareyjohnson.com
