Free Download: Polly Paulusma "Day One"

And now for something a little different. Polly Paulusma first hit the music scene in 2004 with her critically-acclaimed pop-folk debut "Scissors In My Pocket." The success of her first album and the tour that followed was overshadowed by Paulusma's personal struggles.

"I had my album launch party and then found out I was pregnant. It was all quite a whirlwind," she says in a press release. "And then I lost it." Later in 2004, she got pregnant again only to lose the baby again a few weeks later. "I really love what I do – writing and performing music," she confides. "I thought why do I have to choose between something I really love and having a family? It made for quite a tense relationship with my music. I felt I was committing murder every time I picked up my guitar. It seemed so unfair. I'd only just begun with my music and now I felt I should be giving it up."

After Paulusma slipped into a depression, things took a turn for the better early  2006. She hooked up with producer Ken Nelson (Coldplay) to start working on a new album. The two struck a strong musical connection and Paulusma used the writing sessions to come to terms with her trauma. And while recording the album, she got pregnant again. This time around nothing complicated her pregnancy and she gave birth to a healthy child.

Her new record "Fingers & Thumbs" is a very personal and revealing collection of songs that reflect not only her struggles in the past but also her new-found happiness. What struck me most about Polly's music are her empowering lyrics and tender voice that will warm you up inside. "Day One" is a track from Paulusma's new album that shows her resilience in times of struggle. Something we probably can all relate to on one level or another. "Life leaps and springs from all manner of things. It can grow on the side of a building," she sings.

Polly has given me permission to share this download on Arjanwrites.com. Fans of Rufus, Wilco and Feist should be in a for a treat with this guilt-free download. "Fingers & Thumbs" will be released on One Little Indian (home of Bjork) on June 14th.

Download Polly Paulusma "Day One" [MP3]