Norwegian and Swedish shows for Kathleen Edwards in May

Acclaimed singer, songwriter and performer Kathleen Edwards returns to Europe with her highly anticipated new album, Billionaire. On this sixth album, the Canadian singer-songwriter is still finding enlightening new ways to use her voice. Behind the boards and on guitar, she’s got a formidable foil: Jason Isbell.

Edwards first came to widespread attention in the early 2000s with a string of critically adored records that blended alt-country, folk-rock and razor-sharp storytelling with a wry, conversational lyrical style. After Voyageur (2012) she stepped back from music entirely, even running a coffee shop in Ottawa, before returning triumphantly with Total Freedom in 2020. Billionaire builds on that comeback, presenting a polished update of her signature sound, full of emotional depth and narrative color that reflects her evolution as an artist and a person.

Across the album, Edwards’ voice is a striking instrument—richer, more confident and more expressive than ever. On tracks like “Little Red Ranger” and the sun-soaked “FLA,” she conjures vivid characters and moods with the slightest inflection, while the atmospheric title track stands out as a hymn-like meditation on loss and legacy, where she sings “If this feeling / Were a currency / I would be / A billionaire.” Isbell’s electric guitar work—dynamic, expansive and deeply sympathetic to her vocal lines—helps broaden the sonic palette without ever overshadowing her.

While some songs on Billionaire trade intricate detail for broader statements, the overall effect is one of an artist fully at ease in her craft: honest, reflective, and unafraid of emotional complexity. The album showcases Edwards’ ability to balance wit with poignancy, delivering moments that are both heart-felt and intellectually engaging.

She will be over for three shows in Norway and Sweden:
28/05: Stockholm, SWE - Debaser Nova
29/05: Halden, NO - Kaktus Festival
30/05: Kristianstad, SWE - Kulturkvarteret