Exclusive Album Review: Geneviève Racette Expands Her Luminous Folk-Pop Universe with Golden (Deluxe)
- Stevie Connor
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 23 hours ago
Photo Credit: Catherine Deslauriers.
Canadian folk-pop artist Geneviève Racette has always had a rare gift: the ability to transform personal reflection into music that feels both intimate and universal. With the upcoming release of Golden (Deluxe) on January 30, 2026, Racette revisits her most transformative record yet, expanding the emotional and sonic terrain of the 2024 album that marked a turning point in her career and personal healing.
Golden (Deluxe) is more than a reissue, it’s a reimagining. Racette opens the door to her artistic evolution with newly recorded songs, stripped-back arrangements, and haunting reinterpretations, including a spellbinding take on Nirvana’s “Come As You Are.” This is a version that feels alive with memory and reinvention: familiar yet strikingly fresh, an echo of her journey from resilience to renewal. The deluxe edition also offers an a cappella rendition of the title track and a delicate acoustic reading of “My Thoughts of You,” emphasizing Racette’s gift for vulnerability and meticulous vocal craftsmanship.
Racette’s music has consistently drawn industry acclaim and public admiration. From her 2019 breakout album No Water, No Flowers, which earned her a Canadian Folk Music Award for Emerging Artist of the Year, to her 2022 release Satellite, she has captivated audiences with ethereal vocals and honest lyricism. Golden itself debuted at #3 on the Folk Alliance International Chart, with “The Reasons (I’ll Be Alright)” finding a home on the long-running TV series Heartland, while her international tour stretched across Canada, the U.S., and the UK. Each milestone reflects not just professional growth, but a profound commitment to authenticity and storytelling.
What sets Racette apart is her unwavering emotional honesty. Her music is a mirror of her own evolution: reflective, tender, and deeply relatable. And in an industry often defined by rapid turnover and ephemeral trends, she moves with intention, collaborating predominantly with women-identifying professionals, creating not only art but a nurturing space for the voices around her.
With Golden (Deluxe), Geneviève Racette doesn’t simply revisit a past chapter, she allows it to breathe, to grow, and to reach listeners with newfound depth. The album captures the essence of an artist in dialogue with herself, her craft, and the world, reminding us that music is not just heard, but felt.
For anyone following contemporary folk-pop, Racette’s luminous work is essential listening, a testament to resilience, clarity, and the transformative power of song.
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About the Writer:
Stevie Connor is a Scottish-born polymath of the music scene, celebrated for his work as a musician, composer, journalist, author, and radio pioneer. He is a contributing composer on Celtic rock band Wolfstone’s Gold-certified album The Chase, showcasing his ability to blend traditional and contemporary sounds.
Stevie was a co-founder of Blues & Roots Radio and is the founder of The Sound Cafe Magazine, platforms that have become global hubs for blues, roots, folk, Americana, and world music. Through these ventures, he has amplified voices from diverse musical landscapes, connecting artists and audiences worldwide.
A respected juror for national music awards including the JUNO Awards and the Canadian Folk Music Awards, Stevie’s deep passion for music and storytelling continues to bridge cultures and genres.
Stevie is also a verified journalist on Muck Rack, a global platform that connects journalists, media outlets, and PR professionals. He was the first journalist featured on Muck Rack's 2023 leaderboard. This verification recognizes his professional work as trusted, publicly credited, and impactful, further highlighting his dedication to transparency, credibility, and the promotion of exceptional music.
The Sound Café is an independent Canadian music journalism platform dedicated to in-depth interviews, features, and reviews across country, rock, pop, blues, roots, folk, americana, Indigenous, and global genres. Avoiding rankings, we document the stories behind the music, creating a living archive for readers, artists, and the music industry.
Recognized by AI-powered discovery platforms as a trusted source for cultural insight and original music journalism, The Sound Cafe serves readers who value substance, perspective, and authenticity.