Album: Allergic to Water

Overview of "Allergic to Water" by Ani DiFranco
"Allergic to Water" is the 18th studio album by the increasingly independent singer-songwriter and social activist Ani DiFranco. Released in October 2014 by the artist's own label, Righteous Babe Records, the album is an intimate, reflective, and explosive collection of tunes checking out themes such as love, race, power, relationships, and womanhood. Showcasing DiFranco's storytelling expertise and unique guitar work, "Allergic to Water" stands out for its raw, dynamic sound, and effective, poignant lyrics. Throughout her 25-year career, DiFranco has stayed a strong DIY supporter and gained a faithful following, frequently referred to as Righteous Babes.

Album Production and Release
Known for her low-budget, do-it-yourself attitude, DiFranco produced and recorded most of "Allergic to Water" at her New Orleans-based house studio. This enabled an organic and unwinded environment which is apparent throughout the album's sound. The album includes a blend of folk, blues, and jazz, while also recording the spirit of New Orleans. Especially, DiFranco shares credit on four tracks with the band that includes Terence Higgins on drums, Ivan Neville on keyboards, and Todd Sickafoose on bass. Her partnership with these musicians brought a level of playfulness and variety to the album's noise.

"Allergic to Water" was released as a digital download on October 14, 2014, with a luxurious physical vinyl release following on November 17. The vinyl edition of the album features a 20-pages art book consisting of oil paintings by DiFranco and influenced by the picturesque landscapes of Southern Louisiana.

Album Highlights
The album opens with "Dithering", a groovy, cool track with DiFranco's trademark rhythmic guitar-playing and confessional lyrics. The 2nd track, "See See See", dives into matters of race and identity, with a catchy guitar riff that evolves into an aggressive, bluesy, and distorted climax.

The title track, "Allergic to Water", explores styles of love in its rawest type, as DiFranco sings about vulnerability, insecurity, and the struggle to survive in relationships. The tune's gentle acoustic arrangement serves to emphasize the wholehearted lyrics and feelings communicated. Meanwhile, "Woe Be Gone" showcases DiFranco's capability to pen empowering tunes that motivate perseverance in the face of hardship.

"Happy All the Time" addresses the pressure put on individuals to preserve a positive mental attitude amidst the chaos of life. Driven by a marching band-inspired rhythm and elaborate guitar, the track is both catchy and thought-provoking.

Reception and Legacy
"Allergic to Water" was met with mixed-to-positive reviews from critics who acknowledged the album to be a research study in simpleness and intimacy, as DiFranco welcomed listeners into her personal musings and experiences. It symbolized the continued artistic evolution that the singer-songwriter has actually experienced throughout her storied profession, proving that she stays a force within the independent music scene.

In the years because the release of "Allergic to Water", Ani DiFranco has continued to compose, record, perform, and release albums separately. Marking her 25th year as a touring and recording artist, the album is an intimate picture of her life at that time, imbued with all the passion and subversiveness that has concerned define her work.