[Cover photo credit to Brooke Stevens]

Singer/songwriter Helene Cronin has just released her album, Maybe New Mexico. Helene says this record is particularly close to her heart. While taking input from her Producer and a few trusted friends, she was the decision-maker on which songs to include and which weren’t right for this album and she decided that based on what songs she was playing out for audiences and which should be played out more. Finally she wondered, “What songs need to be on here in case it’s the last record I ever make?”

Cronin intentionally kept the album more stripped down, more acoustic, and a little closer to what you’ll hear if you see her perform. Described as a “gentle record”, it showcases the last few years of Helene writing alone and with trusted friends. While there are familiar names like Lisa Carver and Scott Sean White, many co-writers are first-timers on a Cronin project.

Cronin worked with Mitch Dane, Grammy-winning Producer at Sputnik Sound in Nashville. He shepherded the process and brought in musicians such as Bobby Terry, Matt Pierson, Charlie Lowell and Paul Eckburg. For the first time, Helene recorded acoustic guitar on a couple of songs.