One of the central themes on Lauren Minear’s sophomore album, Chasing Daylight, is the idea that healing is a process of enlightenment and self-discovery. This may be esoteric to some. But Minear – like many musicians – simply writes about what she knows.

Minear has an undeniable skill for crafting songs that beautifully capture the human condition. This comes, at least in part, from another skill – the one she formerly honed as a trained psychotherapist, guiding patients through the gorges of their own minds. In any role, Minear brims with pure, raw talent.

Chasing Daylight, Minear‘s new album, is now available via all DSPs.

“In the practice of psychotherapy, there is a concept called ‘parallel process,’ shares Minear.

“As therapists, we often see ourselves in our clients. With proper training and supervision, we can use that reflection to the client’s benefit. Sometimes, the reflection is indirect. A client suffers a loss, and the therapist combs through her own experience for a parallel experience. Sometimes the parallel is so direct and obvious that the synchronicity of it seems magical. Either way, the parallel process is transformative. I believe that the making and consumption of music is similar. When I started writing this album, I wanted to make something for the clients who I had left behind when I closed my therapy practice. Inevitably, the process of doing that transformed me. In writing about what healing feels like, I healed. In crafting lyrics about a woman who feels confident and embodied, I became.”

Chasing Daylight features five previously released singles: “The Way it Was,” “Chasing Daylight,” “The Sun,” “Real Me,” and “High.” Minear released an accompanying video for each single. Together, these videos illustrate the album’s aforementioned theme.

“The five videos take place over the course of a day, beginning pre-dawn, and moving toward sunset (magic hour),” explains Minear. “Each outfit that the protagonist tries on is a different color, moving from black to purple, through all spectrums of light. Personally, this symbolizes my personal transformation from someone who was trying to do everything right by external standards, to someone who trusts herself.”

Chasing Daylight features four additional tracks: “Bone Tired,” “Breathing Out,” “Fold Into Yourself,” and “Heart & Soul.” Minear plans to release a deluxe version of the album this July, with four additional tracks.

“Chasing Daylight tells the story of someone looking for happiness and fulfillment outside of herself, but who ultimately finds it within,” shares Minear. The album cover is inspired by an image of a purple eclipse that caught my eye early in the songwriting process, and became the visual anchor for me throughout. In my mind, each song has a color. Each color sits on a spectrum representing the journey from darkness into light, a journey we all take over and over in life. I hope this music finds you when you need it.”

Raised in Nashville and now based in New York City, Minear honed her craft under the mentorship of George Marinelli (long-time guitar player for Bonnie Raitt), folk legend Steve Earle, acclaimed country music songwriter Alice Randall, songwriter Joe Croker, and folk artist, Tom Prasada-Rao. In 2022, Minear released her debut album, Invisible Woman, which explores themes of identity, love, and loss, magnified by her experience of being postpartum during the pandemic. Minear has mesmerized audiences at New York City music institutions such as The Bitter End, Rockwood Music Hall, and Brooklyn Music Kitchen.

“I just want to keep making the best songs I am capable of making and connect with people through them,” says Minear. I would love to start playing festivals and to larger audiences. But mostly I want to watch my kids grow up. They are my greatest inspiration. I keep making music so they can experience me as a whole person doing something I love deeply with the time I am away from them.”