In the realm of new age and ambient music, the concept of gratitude is a common underlying theme, a foundational principle driving a multitude of individual expressions of spirituality. While certainly every artist who taps into those deep wells of thankfulness is sincere about what they feel, it seems safe to say most have never been in Juliet Lyon’s position when she wakes up from another surgery on her trachea hoping it was successful. It’s always about that first breath. When the multi-talented pianist, composer and vocalist inhales and exhales for the first time, she knows she’s safe for at least the next few months.
These anxious and transformative experiences have been part of her life since 2019, when she was diagnosed with the rare disease idiopathic subglottic stenosis, which requires 1-2 surgeries per year on her trachea to keep her airway open. This condition would be scary enough for the average person but for a multi-talented musician like Juliet, whose beautiful, ethereal voice is a core part of her artistry, it could be devastating if she allowed it to be. Fortunately for her many supportive fans, she chooses to make her affliction not a burden, but a blessing that reminds us of the preciousness of life and its many gifts. One of which is her beautiful, heartfelt and uplifting music.
The sacred moments when Juliet wakes up and realizes she’s still got her life and her multitude of gifts are intact are the ones she reflects upon on her all at once tenderly meditative, exhilarating and life affirming, powerfully cathartic new album Breath of Gratitude – the perfectly titled follow-up to and thematic expansion of her likewise uplifting 2023 single “Breathe III.” I called “Breathe III” a “surreal self-reminder to breathe in not only air but all life has to offer, to make the most of her gifts and use them to effect change in the hearts of her listeners.”
All the same awestruck words apply to Juliet’s emotionally epic new project, but in sevenfold, as she journeys us over seven tracks from a stunning embrace of a “Sunrise” (which builds tender melodic anticipation towards an intense, relief filled burst wordless vocal euphoria) through the gentle graces of “Heart Awakened,” a tender lullaby-esque piece featuring only Juliet’s elegant piano caressed by haunting atmospheres. Though one might expect an album dedicated the fine art of overcoming personal adversity to wrap on a grander, perhaps more emphatic sonic note, Juliet says, “In its simplicity, this one might have the most meaning. It represents throwing out all the rest of the mundane stuff – all the noise, drama, day to day business – and represents what life is really about. Love. It’s like me simply sharing my truth: ‘Here I am again. I love and am loved. And love continues.”
Though on streaming they are paired with compelling films of Juliet in a flowing light pinkish-orange dress in various poses and moves on a shore in front of a grey, fogged in sea, it might be more impactful to use the starker visual of her in a recovery room, literally breathing a sigh of relief after so many moments of trepidation and contemplation before each surgery. The atmospheric, hypnotic title track draws us in via a light percussion track that slowly propels the spirit forward to a place of gratitude, happiness and peace. It’s a place for reflecting and marveling at how a mere hour in the operating room can dramatically change her quality of life.
She then offers (to us and presumably, the universe) a prayer-like “Healing Hymn,” pairing her angelic wordless vocals with piano and lush atmospheres as a way of hopefully manifesting the slowing of the growth of her scar tissue to the point where she won’t need another surgery for a long time. As Juliet says, “I imagine my trachea receiving powerful healing energy. I imagined what it might sound like if healing energy was a song or music.”
The most curiously titled piece, “Dum Spiro Spero,” is also the most magnificently named once we realize that in Latin, it means, “While I Breathe, I Hope.” A sweetly intimate slow dance between Juliet’s wafting vocals (with a few later more powerful and percussive intonations) and the haunting violin melody of guest Lili Haydn, it captures Juliet in an exuberant post-surgery state. Essentially, it’s her saying “I’m here. I’m alive. I can conquer the world,” full of life, energy, fresh oxygen and loads of magical creativity.
The next tune, the likewise lyrical and meditative “Delicate Dance,” finds Juliet coming back to earth for a moment to embrace the reality that that euphoric excitement she feels post- surgery (and which she wants us to connect with) can still be short lived because another visit to the hospital may be only months away. This piece is an admirable expression of raw honesty, an immersive duet enhanced with the breezy and exotic strumming of Kirsten Agresta Copely’s harp.
Before the artist takes herself and us to feel her “Heart Awakened,” she reminds us via the slow sway and soaring ambience of “New Life” that each successful surgery – and each day for the rest of us – is an opportunity to experiences the universe’s many blessings and mercies and be grateful.
“For a long time,” Juliet says, “I was ashamed and embarrassed of the way this disease has changed my daily life – including not being able to keep up with other people going up the stairs and my chronic coughing. But as soon as I started ‘coming out,’ and owning this as part of me, without it defining me, I felt incredible freedom and release. When I channeled that into music, I felt those feelings magnify. We are all facing something, and this album is kind of my way of saying, ‘I feel you.’ I hope listeners will feel peace and courage, love and healing in this musical offering.
“The silver lining in this disease is that it has made me bolder and also more appreciative of every good moment,” she adds. “Creating this album, everything flowed as if it was meant to be. I have a dream team of incredible musicians and incredible people sharing their talents. Through album purchases, I’ve been fundraising for Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis research and awareness. I’ve gotten to create something that is authentic from deep in my soul. The gratitude is real!”
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