A Softer Focus

A Softer Focus is a 2021 studio album by Canadian-American musician Claire Rousay released on April 9, 2021, via American Dreams.

Background and composition
Rousay conceived of A Softer Focus in collaboration with longtime friend and artist Dani Toral, who created the album cover, music videos, and other visual materials. Toral, a ceramicist, also crafted ceramic whistles included with the special edition vinyl record of the album.

With the album's more traditional instrumentation and melodic structures, A Softer Focus marked a creative departure from Rousay's previous works, more experimental compositions which drew heavily from field recordings.

Critical reception
Critics including Tom Piekarski of Exclaim! and Chris Ingalls of PopMatters characterized the album as a successful venture into more "accessible" material for Rousay. Robert Barry of The Quietus praised A Softer Focus as "a singular meditation on life and memory that never falls into the traps of nostalgia."

In addition to naming the album among the best jazz and experimental releases of 2021, Pitchfork recognized A Softer Focus as one of that year's 50 best albums overall.

Track listing
All tracks are written and recorded by Claire Rousay.

Personnel
Credits adapted from the American Dreams website.
 * Claire Rousay – composition, production
 * Lia Kohl – cello (tracks 2, 3, 6)
 * Ben Baker Billington – vocals (track 4)
 * Macie Stewart – violin (track 4)
 * Alex Cunningham – violin (track 5)
 * Andrew Weathers – mastering