The Foundling (album)

The Foundling is the fourteenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter. It was released on February 23, 2010, by Zoe Records.

The album is a song cycle centered around themes of abandonment, loss, redemption, and finding one's place in the world. It features a dark, introspective tone, departing from some of Carpenter's more upbeat and commercially successful previous work. Musically, it incorporates elements of folk, country, and Americana, with sparse arrangements emphasizing Carpenter's vocals and storytelling.

The Foundling was produced by Matt Rollings and recorded at various studios in Nashville, Tennessee. The album features a core band of musicians including Rollings, Duke Levine, and Glenn Worf.

Critical reception to The Foundling was generally positive, with many reviewers praising Carpenter's songwriting and the album's emotional depth. Some critics noted the album's departure from Carpenter's earlier sound, while others viewed it as a mature and compelling work. The album did not achieve the same commercial success as some of Carpenter's previous releases, but it is regarded by many fans as one of her most artistically significant works.

Notable songs from The Foundling include "The Foundling," "We Traveled So Far," and "I Was a Thief."