We've always felt a little guilty about Meg Hutchinson's music. We probably should have been tugging on the sleeve of everyone we knew and telling them about what an incredible find each of her albums has been. But, with an artist like this, someone whose effortlessly beautiful songs can speak to the listener on a profoundly personal level, it's also tempting to just keep it to yourself. We were reminded of that fact today as we listened to Hutchinson's new album The Living Side, due February 9 via Red House, tempted to just close the door, turn the phone off, ignore the email and just, well, listen.

At 31 and with more than a decade's worth of touring and releases, Hutchinson will never be mistaken for some young "next big thing." But perhaps it is this adult perspective along with her undeniable skill as a songwriter that makes The Living Side so extraordinary. It is clear that on every level the Boston-based singer is performing at the top of her game: the melodies are subtle but rich, the airy voice tender but resilient, the lyrics knowing and provocative. And when Hutchinson sets the socio-political stage for pointed observations on the lost American Dream in the deceptively lovely "Hard To Change" or probes emotional will in the whispered intimacy of "Gatekeeper" you know you're in the presence of something truly special. Highly recommended.

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Meg Hutchinson - "Gatekeeper" (from the album The Living Side)

Meg Hutchinson - "Hard To Change" (from the album The Living Side)