Seattle singer-songwriter Rocky Votolato's new full length, Hospital Handshakes, is a surprisingly positive explosion of energy that examines themes of healing from trauma, overcoming depression, spiritual longing and finding true meaning in life.

It also marks a turning point in Votolato's career, the end result of a tumultuous transition that began after the release of his seventh album, Television of Saints, in 2012 with the songwriter second-guessing his gift and even considering retiring from music.