Natalie Merchant's new self-titled album is due May 6 on Nonesuch Records. The video for the song "Giving Up Everything," directed by Dan Winters and featuring the first music to be heard from the album, has premiered on NPR's First Watch. "Rarely is an artist as honest and revealing as Natalie Merchant in her new video and song, 'Giving Up Everything,'" says NPR Music's Bob Boilen. "Watch the video, let it settle in your bones, and watch again." You can do so below.

The new album is the multi-platinum singer’s sixth solo collection, and her first of entirely original songs in 13 years; it is available for pre-order in the Nonesuch Store.

This self-produced album is the work of a mature artist with a clear and distinctive voice. Long appreciated for the depth and substance of her writing, Merchant has never shied away from weighty themes or subjects for her lyrics. She describes the new release as informed "by experience and keen observation," dealing with issues of "love gained and lost, regret, denial, surrender, greed, destructiveness, defeat, and occasional triumph."

Combining three decades of experience in song writing and album making, Merchant's production style is nuanced and pure. Her voice is framed by a balanced blend of electric and acoustic sound throughout with musicianship of exceptional quality. String, brass, and woodwind arrangements mingle with Hammond organ and electric guitar improvisations. Players include John Medeski, Shawn Pelton, Clark Gayton, Uri Sharlin, Jesse Murphy, Erik Della Penna, Gabriel Gordon, and guest vocalists Simi Stone, Elizabeth Mitchell, and gospel singer Corliss Stafford.