Nowadays, there are a lot of singer/songwriters who use their acoustic guitar as a vehicle to write songs about their relationships. However, it’s difficult to find those who excel in such a crowded field. Once you listen to her songs though, it becomes clear that Rachael Cantu is definitely a cut above the rest.

Cantu’s music follows the tradition of many other indie female singer/songwriters before her, such as PJ Harvey and Norah Jones. Her strong vocals, combined with flowing melodies and emotional lyrics, force you to pay attention without losing the gentle spirit she creates in her songs.

Though she’s yet to breakthrough, Cantu has caught the eye of both current critically acclaimed artists and some older legends. In years past, she’s opened for acts like Tegan & Sara and Ben Lee. In 2009 though, she reached a new level of exposure when she toured with B.B. King throughout the summer and fall, to which she followed by opening for Pat Benatar and Peter Frampton. Not bad for someone just starting out!

While her first album, 2006′s Run All Night, was a moody, brooding debut, last year’s Far and Wide shows how much Cantu has grown as an artist in just three years. Easily moving from pop to folk to country-ish tinges, the 2009 release is an expansion of her sound that prevents her from falling victim to a sophomore slump.

“Make a Name for Me & You” is a contemplative song that reflects both on a relationship’s past while also dealing with its problems in the present. The slow strumming mixed with light piano touches creates a fragile, almost mournful soundscape, but Cantu’s vocals show an inner strength that refuses to back down. When she says, “I’m going out/I’m gonna make a name for me and you/They can never say I never cared for you ’cause it’s just not true,” she’s not just trying to convince the person she’s talking to. She’s trying to convince herself.

Cantu isn’t limited to sadness, though. Her new record goes all over the emotional spectrum. “Your Hips Are Bad” is a scornful attack that uses aging as a metaphor for someone falling apart. “Eaten Alive” sounds musically like a upbeat acoustic pop song, but the lyrics are a different story. Full of fear over being eaten alive in a relationship, Cantu also creates a feeling of curiosity that often exists in the face of danger.

While 2006 was the year of Cantu’s debut album, it’s Far and Wide that proves how ready she is for the next level of success. With another string of dates accompanying B.B. King this year and her new record available on iTunes, that success should come as no surprise to anyone.