"t's not hard to imagine in these times of pandemic, global climate crisis, and a capricious level of economic stratification that an artist would want to put healing music into the world, and consistent with Spalding's previous efforts, Songwrights Apothecary Lab is forward and didactic. She consulted with neuroscientists and music therapists in creating the 12 songs here, each of which is designed to address specific emotions and stresses. That's a lot of weight for an album to bear, and it may be just as (if not more) effective if listeners bring their own agenda to the music, which is sprawling, serene, and gently provocative. Spalding's voice is sensitively persuasive on the songs with lyrics, and her bass drives the extended instrumentals. It's easy to imagine it as the soundtrack to a yoga class or even as meditation, but it also works in foreground settings too".