Four years after her self-titled debut, English singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae presents The Sea, an understandably-personal album which follows in the wake of her husband’s accidental overdose. During her two-year period of mourning, Bailey Rae found solace in her creation of cathartic songs, most notably “Are You Here” and “I Would Like to Call It Beauty”, as a way to give shape to her grief. At first, being critical of such an album feels like the insensitive equivalent of pointing out grammatical flaws in a heartfelt eulogy. But in many ways, listening to the calm surfaces of The Sea feels more like eavesdropping on a secret diary or a personal mantra. Bailey Rae’s vocals are whisper-sung with a saddened intensity that washes over its listeners, and reminds us of the tides that dictate her emotions. Her grief becomes our grief, and her tender reassurances reflect our own loses and longings. Despite predominantly heavy themes, this album is not completely submerged in the undertow of loss. “Feels Like the First Time” and “Paris Night/New York Mornings” are upbeat, jazzy, and smooth. While “The Blackest Lily” plays as classic, funky soul, it doesn’t seem like Bailey Rae’s heart is fully into it. The fact that she has attempted to round out this album with a couple of airy, cheery tracks is admirable. It is like the courageous smile on the face of a friend that let's us know that they are on the mend, but aren't quite ready to talk about it yet.