Alanis Morissette - Havoc and Bright Lights

Alanis has made a career out of sharing her life experiences. Spurned by a lover, she channeled her anger into “You Oughta Know,” one of the biggest hits of the 1990s. Since then, the Ottawa-born rock star has reflected her spiritual quests and self-help journeys through songs like “Thank You” and “Underneath.” She also turned her breakup with actor Ryan Reynolds into Flavors of Entanglement, her 2008 heartbreak album. Now Morissette has released Havoc and Bright Lights, the latest glimpse into her world.

The new album signals contentment. Married to Mario “Souleye” Treadway, Morissette sings about their 17-month son, Ever, on the opening “Guardian,” while “’Til You” is a love song to her rapper husband. The singer’s dedication to personal growth continues to inspire numbers like the piano ballad “Empathy.” And although she vents on “Woman Down” and “Celebrity,” about misogyny and fame respectively, the emotion is tempered. Marriage and motherhood has mellowed Canada’s former rage queen.