Chantel McGregor has never been short on ability. Her guitar playing has been a given for years now. What The Healing does is frame that skill inside something more personal, more textured, and ultimately more revealing than before.
It starts as it means to go on with “I Will Breathe”, built on a heavy groove that immediately reminds you just how formidable McGregor is as a player. But there’s more going on here than chops. There’s atmosphere, space, and a sense that this record is as much about feel as it is firepower.
“Broken Heartless Liar” lets the heartbreak bleed through, yet it does so with an accessibility that edges toward pop without ever feeling lightweight. It’s emotional, yes, but also sharp and direct — the sort of song that sticks because it knows exactly what it wants to say.
“Tears” shifts the mood again. There’s a different feel here, more restrained, more reflective perhaps, and it works because the album isn’t afraid to move around emotionally. That sense of contrast is becoming a theme.
With “Stand On My Own”, things lean further into rock territory. It feels tougher, more assertive, and maybe the clue lies in the individuality of the lyrics. There’s a confidence here that sounds hard-earned rather than assumed.
“Echoes”, co-written with Oli Brown, carries some of his vibe — that soulful, modern blues-rock sheen — but it never feels like a guest piece. Instead, it slots neatly into the album’s emotional arc, reinforcing its reflective core.
“Undercover”, meanwhile, absolutely drips with lust. It’s dark, sultry, and knowing — a reminder that McGregor can groove just as convincingly as she can shred.
“Truth Will Out” takes that groove and pushes it further, digging into funkier territory and giving the album one of its deepest, most rhythm-led moments. It’s another reminder that The Healing isn’t content to sit in one lane.
And then there’s the title track, “The Healing”. This one, as I’m the biggest prude on the planet, is more for me. Beautiful, measured, and quietly powerful, it pulls the whole record together. The beauty of it is unquestioned, and as a closer it feels earned — not just a final song, but a statement of intent.
The Healing isn’t about proving that Chantel McGregor can play guitar. We already knew that. It’s about showing who she is right now, and letting the songs do the talking.
Rating 7.5/10
