It has been more than four years since Chan Marshall, aka Cat Power, released any new studio material. Finally, she comes out with “You Are Free,” which was worth the wait.

Her last album was the hidden gem on every sad kid’s mix tape. This album lives up to that high standard of fitful desperation, again translating the loneliness of so many of us into simple and elegant songs. Cat Power’s albums never were known for being arrangement heavy. “You Are Free” is no exception, with Marshall opting for the lone accompaniment of a guitar or piano to her voice on most songs.

I’m going to make this very clear and simple for you. If you ever feel sad, or if you’ve ever had someone walk out on you, buy this album. This album is best listened to alone when the last thing you want to be is alone. These are the types of songs that are bred from whiskey and too many cigarettes on cool nights. The songs create a distance between Marshall’s voice and the listener, sounding like they were recorded in a large, empty room. This strengthening the feeling that despite the comfort Marshall can provide, she is distant. If you are looking for an album to drag you out of the cold lonely winter months, this is not it. Songs like “Names,” which chronicles the death of acquaintances the narrator saw from ages 10 to 14, drive cold reality back into you. Chan Marshall coos songs with a voice that sounds like sheets rubbing together on the clothesline, both flighty and intensely poignant.

It may be important to note that “You Are Free” is not an album devoid of a backing band. Marshall calls in the big leaguers for this album, and then stuffs them in the closet when the neighbors stop in unexpectedly. Eddie Vedder rolls in to add backing vocals to two tracks. Dave Grohl provides a surprisingly restrained performance on drums on several tracks. Marshall continues her flair for Australian men, calling in Warren Ellis from the Dirty Three to provide violin on “Good Woman.” Even Beck’s father drops in to provide the trademark string arrangements he scored for his son’s last album. These heavy-hitters play a humble second to Marshall, though, appearing only as initials in the liner notes, and sounding quiet and distant on the songs.

Cat Power has made good use of her long hiatus from recording to create 14 songs that quell the aching heart.