I have to admit I didn't know Rachael Yamagata, the American singer-songwriter and pianist from Arlington, Virginia. Shame on me, 'cos she's an extremely talented artist that already released 5 EP's and three full-length studio albums. Moreover, her songs have appeared on numerous television shows and she has collaborated with Jason Mraz, Rhett Miller, Bright Eyes, Ryan Adams, Toots and the Maytals and Ray Lamontagne.

Her bio says Rachel is a storyteller with a compassion for the darker side of relationships. Her fans gravitate towards her ability to articulate emotion that captures equal parts nostalgia and sadness along with a sense of hopefulness. She writes at 4am and whisper sings like a voice in your head. Rachael's songs lend themselves well to cinematic storytelling.

So it's definitely time to find her out, expecially now that her amazing new, fourth studio record is about to drop.

Titled Tightrope Walker, the new album will be released next Friday, September 23 (on Rachel's 39th birthday), via Frankenfish Records and will feature the three singles Over  (check the video clicking on the image), Nobody and Let Me Be Your Girl. "These songs were inspired by a gosh darn mystical vision. They are empowerment and grit; tonic and risk" tells Rachel about the 10 tracks included in her new work.

I'm honestly loving Tightrope Walker, and if you're into high quality Alternative-Pop, and such artists as Regina Spektor, Amanda Palmer, Fiona Apple, Lisa Dalbello, Chrissie Hynde, Jason Mraz and Ray LaMontagne, you better get it.

The great people at NoiseTrade are exclusively premiering Tightrope Walker on their site, so check the opporunity to stream this jewel now!