In 2014 Natalie returned to her core band of musicians (Erik Della Penna, Gabriel Gordon, Uri Sharlin and Jesse Murphy) with the addition of Sean Pelton on drums to record and produce a self-titled album. It was the first album of fully original material she had released in 13 years. The album makes liberal use of strings throughout (many arrangments by Stephen Barber) and features guest vocals by soul singer Simi Stone and gospel singer Corliss Stafford.

Natalie Merchant was predominantly recorded by Eli Walker and George Cowan with assistant engineer Bella Blasko, at The Clubhouse in Rhinebeck, NY.