Crystal’s emotive folk-rock-country style has been catapulted from the cramped coffeehouses and cavernous subway tunnels of Chicago to millions of homes across America when she placed second Season 9 of American Idol.

However, the story behind the voice, the acoustic guitar, blue eyes and blonde dreadlocks is much more than skin deep. Produced by David Bendeth, Farmer’s Daughter, Crystal’s first studio release chronicles her personal experience of dealing with a dark childhood, to finding love and happiness as a young woman, and everything in between.

Farmer’s Daughter may not unlock every secret behind the anomaly that is Crystal Bowersox, but it does give us a look into where she’s been, and what’s made her into the complex artist she is today.