In rotation: Priscilla Ahn’s ‘When You Grow Up’

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With advance sales for the parody children’s book “Go the F— to Sleep” reaching frenzied levels, it’s clear that sleeping is on the minds of parents battling their babies for a little peace of mind. But what about adults and our own drifts into dreamland?

Enter local singer-songwriter Priscilla Ahn, with a lilting voice that can swaddle you against the cruel blows of the unwitting world, on her latest album, “When You Grow Up.” Produced by Ethan Johns, who knows a bit about smoothing the brows of the worried with Ray LaMontagne’s wooded constructions, the 12 songs on “When You Grow Up” are little rafts floating down a gentle river, built from light sprigs of guitar, brushed drums and witty keyboards that bring to mind the kind of wry storytelling at play in Aimee Mann’s best songs.

For proof that Ahn is more than a human night light, consider “I Will Get Over You,” written with Sia Furler (one of the many excellent songwriter collaborators here, include Inara George, Eleni Mandell and Charlie Wadhams). “I was blinded by love,” she admits, but now it’s over and she knows her pain is only a temporary hassle. So you might be able to fall asleep in Ahn’s bed, but hey, you might also get kicked out of it too.

Priscilla Ahn
“When You Grow Up”
Blue Note

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—Margaret Wappler