Rachael Yamagata continues to sing well­-crafted pop songs that are pretty without being sugary, and romantic without lapsing into complete bathos. The Virginia­-born singer-­songwriter is able to take her own experience and transmute it into music that is both universal and personal. “All those words you said at the ending were pretty revealing,” she sings ruefully about the end of a relationship. “Who knows why two people perfectly aligned should ever have to find themselves apart?” Even in the midst of such heartbreak, Yamagata always retains her poise, confiding her vulnerability with an endearing openness and lyrical grace. She’s recorded a couple EPs in the past few years but hasn’t released a full album since 2008’s Loose Ends, so perhaps she’ll debut some new songs tonight. Also Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Hotel Cafe, where she’ll perform her 2004 debut album, Happenstance, in its entirety.

Mon., Oct. 27, 8 p.m., 2014
(Expired: 10/27/14)

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