There is a dreamy reassuring feel to the vocals of Aoife O’Donovan.
Unblemished, richly textured and elaborately rounded are just three warranted
superlatives, but more importantly they just possess a boundless capacity to
resonate with the ear of a listener seeking perfection. On the back of her
hugely successful debut solo album FOSSILLS, Aoife returns on top form with her
sophomore release IN THE MAGIC HOUR. If a class of ’16 supreme vocalists is
going to emerge then Aoife will be right at the heart of it and the new record
will confirm what many have known for a number of years.
Blending the universal links between her Irish heritage and
New England home has been instrumental in a career which now has three
acclaimed elements. Prior to the success of her solo projects, Aoife was also
the voice behind the much vaunted roots group Crooked Still for close on a
decade. In between solo albums, Aoife was part of the roots celestial trio ‘I’m
With Her’ alongside fellow stateside luminaries Sarah Jarosz and Sara Watkins.
The success of these shows either side of the Atlantic was immense and while we
wait for a potential trio record, the spotlight is now firmly on Aoife and her
new album.
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| Photo Credit: Joanna Chattman |
IN THE MAGIC HOUR is released on the influential Yep Roc
record label and consists of ten tracks sprinkled with the gold dust of its
prime architect and assembled players. When you can include the mandolin
playing of Chris Thile in the latter, the stakes of quality are raised to a
maximum height. The mouth-watering prospect is that Aoife is playing approximately a
dozen dates in Europe prior to taking it around her homeland. Maybe the touring
trio will not include the big names found on the record, but the quality should
still be high.
The ten track album saw Aoife once again re-unite with
Grammy winning producer Tucker Martine and the theme of the record is
definitely nostalgia at both ends of the spectrum. Written and recorded at the
time of her Grandfather’s passing, it both mourns and celebrates a long life by
recounting many of Aoife’s visits to Ireland. His voice appears on ‘Donal Og’ and the sheer depth of her
song writing enhances the appeal of the record. The true dedication for him
exists in the song ‘Magpie’, totally
soaked in nostalgia. The abbreviated title track ‘Magic Hour’ is the most distinctive song on the record as its
structure and sound has obviously been designed for promotion. Maybe there is a
commercial need for this, but the album’s true worth is buried within its inner
content and sublime blending of accomplished musicianship and the comforting
satin appeal of Aoife’s voice.
From the opening strains of ‘Stanley Park’ (location not detected) to the lengthy closer ‘Jupiter’, the intensity rarely relents.
Those seeking continual hooks and
lighter moments will need to look elsewhere, but folks tuned into the magical
aura of a record with so much personal investment will lap up the entity of
this album. The enchanting ‘Hornets’
and the poignant ‘Porch Light’ make a
good case for being the album’s high spot. The former is reminiscent of Alison
Krauss at her finest with blissful fiddle providing the perfect vocal
accompaniment. ‘The King of All Birds’ is perhaps the one moment when the album
gets experimental in its sound and certainly adds value.
IN THE MAGIC HOUR will undoubtedly thrill the purists along
with listeners who just resonate with a top notch vocalist at the peak of her powers.
Haunting in parts, charismatic in reception and infinite in appeal define the
work of Aoife O’Donovan. She is set to be an integral part of the
Folk-Americana- Bluegrass-Roots scene for many years to come and the pleasure
is entirely in connecting with her music.
www.aoifeodonovan.com
