Hilary has a lovely, lilting voice that is perfectly matched with the compelling arrangements of these songs.  Touching on varied themes such as self-empowerment, love, and childhood bullying, Michels uses a deft, light touch to draw us into the stories. Here are some of my favorites from the “Brave New World” album….

“Free as a Bird” is a lovely tribute to a departed love one.  Written in memory of her sister, this song encourages us to live our lives to the fullest, moving forward with confidence that the correct path will appear.

“Room for All Seasons” is a sweet love song.  With compelling imagery, Hilary paints a picture of a love that truly exists through all seasons of a life.

“This Old Man” offers a message of rebirth delivered by the unlikely messenger in the form of a derelict old man.  This messenger instructs us to “believe in the heart of everybody and the Phoenix rising from the ashes until your life is said and done”.

“Storm of Your Mind” reminds us that when we are at the lowest point, it is often when we will find the answer that we are seeking. 

“Head Up, Heart Open” is one of my favorite tracks on the CD.  Starting with the line “I just woke up from my life, I was still sleeping” this funky song has a gentle message about keeping our heads up and hearts open so that we will recognize the good that’s in front of us.

Hilary has done a fine job of painting lyrical pictures of things we see in our everyday life, but might overlook.  We are drawn into her world, and it’s a beautiful world indeed.