Lara Ruggles captures raw vulnerability and poetic introspection in "Bend the Truth," a haunting ballad from her new album Anchor Me. Known for her evocative storytelling, Ruggles invites listeners into her most intimate reflections, exploring the ways we guard ourselves against pain—even if it means rewriting our own stories. With its lullaby-like intro and subtle, swelling instrumentation, "Bend the Truth" contrasts soft, almost hypnotic melodies with lyrics that confront mortality, love, and the fragility of human connection.
Set against the backdrop of minimal yet powerful arrangements crafted by producer Steve Varney, "Bend the Truth" shines with emotional depth as Ruggles’s voice rises, capturing the intensity of self-preservation and denial. Written during a 2023 artist residency in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, the song’s visceral imagery evokes feelings of holding onto love, even if it means bending the truth to fit a narrative that feels safer, softer. Ruggles’s band—featuring Pete Connolly on drums, Patrick Morris on bass, Freddy Jay Walker on electric guitar, and Kevin Larkin on piano—delivers an instrumental performance that swells with her, reflecting the crescendo of emotion as she reaches into life’s darkest corners with honesty and grace.
Anchor Me marks a deeply personal return for Ruggles, who spent years performing under the name Sharkk Heartt with a vibrant, electro-pop sound. Now, she’s back to her roots in indie folk and Americana, revisiting her early influences and the self-reflective lyricism that has long defined her artistry. With this album, Ruggles blends her experiences of heartbreak, healing, and rediscovery, painting a vivid picture of the lessons we learn through love, loss, and resilience.
Having tracked most of the record on Gregory Alan Isakov’s farm in Boulder, Colorado, Ruggles brings a warmth and authenticity to Anchor Me that only an artist of her depth could achieve. Each song invites listeners to contemplate their own truths and, like "Bend the Truth," offers a sense of compassionate understanding.
"Bend the Truth" is a stunning addition to Ruggles’s discography, capturing the weight of personal revelation and inviting listeners to reflect on the power of self-honesty.
