'Life Is A Lesson, And Sometimes It's Difficult To Learn': Cat Power Steps Forward

The word "first" comes up a lot when talking about the latest album from Cat Power. It's the singer's first in six years, her first since giving birth to a son (notice his forehead peeking out on the album cover) and her first since leaving Matador, her longtime record label. But one thing is not new: As is often the case with Cat Power's music, this collection is spare and emotional. Her latest album, Wanderer, out now, draws on the singer's state of consciousness and her idea that as humans, we're all wandering for our purpose life.