Courtney Marie Andrews Previews Upcoming Album “Valentine”: Exclusive
In an intimate corner of New York’s National Arts Club, contemporary folk singer Courtney Marie Andrews and guests gathered to preview Andrews’ upcoming album, “Valentine,” on December 4. During an acoustic performance featuring original songs and poems, listeners were given a preview of her latest work, set to be released on January 16th, 2026.
With three songs out, including “Cons and Clowns,” “Keeper,” and “Little Picture of a Butterfly,” which was recently released on December 5, Andrews is returning to the music scene since her 2022 Americana album “Loose Future.”
However, her time away from recording wasn’t spent away from art completely. The multidisciplinary artist took the time between her albums to work on other creative mediums, including the release of her second poetry book, “Love Is A Dog That Bites When It’s Scared,”
which was published this summer, and painting, with multiple gallery shows showcasing her artwork.
The event, which was shared by two floors, had bookshelves for walls that stretched all the way up to the ceiling. Inside them were colorful portraits of musicians, books, and vinyl records, alongside Andrews’s paintings that cascaded down the wall, mirroring the staircase. Setting the tone for the evening immediately.
Her paintings stood out against the tide of items showcased on the shelves, with their aura of rich moodiness. Dark, yet mystifying, each stroke of color shown on the canvas made each scene feel like searching through memories and finding yourself in the images she was portraying. They were each a reflection of reality, becoming evident that her art wasn’t just about seeing the moment, but feeling it too.
The room buzzed with enthusiastic conversation, on the space, life, and of course, Andrews– until the anticipation came to an excited lull as she made her way down the staircase. Ready to begin the music portion of the evening, she began with the first song released from the upcoming album, “Cons and Clowns,” which was then followed by new and previous titles.
Her voice, needing no mic, brought an immediate warmth to the room. Floating around the space for those listening on the main floor, and upwards for listeners on the staircase, like fireflies over fields of grass in the summertime. Every lyric, like lines from a lullaby, and every note trembling with a passion so tangible it received an audible “wow” from an attendee.
Andrews was accompanied by musician and singer Jerry Bernhardt throughout the performance, who provided beautifully synchronized harmonies and instrumentals on both the piano and guitar.
In between songs, Andrews read poems from “Love Is A Dog That Bites When It’s Scared,” sharing with the audience that she found it difficult to write music while touring but found an outlet for creativity through poetry. She read vulnerable pieces on love in all its forms, dreams, and expectations.
The audience erupted in applause, evident that no word was left unfelt as she finished her performance. In the end, she expressed her sincere gratitude for everyone who shared the experience with her, thanking the room and those who mentored her up until this moment.
From what was heard of “Valentine” so far, it’s clear that her music is lived in. Andrews’s deep sense of storytelling allows for a wonderful ensemble of sound that celebrates the intersection of life, art, and the beauty of both when they collide. Andrews’s music provides a refreshing perspective with its mixture of mellow folk influences and bluesy, country-like timbre, giving breath to freedom and the overwhelming joy that comes with it. “Valentine,” so far, is like dancing in the rain, or tears of immense joy; it’s a raw, exciting project anyone who enjoys the crossroads of genres and personal journeys should be looking forward to.