Irish singer-songwriter Brigid O'Neill gets to the core of her craft in an album sailing the contours of melodic bliss. THE TRUTH & OTHER STORIES is a lyrical sparkler brushed up into a complete package on the back of a team that hones the art of polishing willing gems while maintaining an organic demeanour. Not a second is wasted in this supreme act of optimal music-making as eleven classy tracks merge into a prime listening experience. This Nashville-influenced Ulster-born artist is the latest songwriter to get the Neilson Hubbard makeover and fall into the laps of actively acute ears.
The sound generated by O'Neill bubbles at the tipping point between fresh and sultry. It soaks up many influences in the early stages before finding explicit homes with a slinky jazz feel in 'Midnight Magic Club' and cracking the country code in the adorable 'Messy Path'. The latter echoes the spirit of Patsy and the breathing vibes of Dolly to make a statement that great country music often comes from those with little pretence. All this is in the wake of stunningly catchy opener 'Live a Little Lie Oh', a piece re-defining the boundaries of ear candy.
The title draws on the writer's fascination with how the pandemic tried to frame the truth with stories throwing up conflicting versions adding to a confusing pot. Yet the truth ultimately stands resolute. Immersing into the words of O'Neill brings these thoughts to life alongside many other wonderful traits that serve a rightful legacy. Always in the background is Hubbard's magic dust; unobtrusive yet distinct with the effect of injecting life and space into an artist's raw tools.
The vocals of Brigid O'Neill cast such a spell over the listener that when we end in the safe arms of the folky vibes and faint brass-infused 'Pilot's Weather', a smug sense of satisfaction settles that artists like this can find compatible ears. Just prior to the ending we step into character mode via 'Amelia' to enter a different facet of O'Neill's writing.
The seamless easing between tracks flourishes from the off with the startling opener slipping into the burgeoning 'Easy'; a song from the classic singer-songwriter mould that improves with each listen. Another skilful aspect of this record is how it meanders into punchier soundscapes such as when 'Take a Day' threads into the spiky 'You're Not Gonna Leave Me Honey'.
From its lofty opening twosome that go a long way to framing the definition, the album finds rotating rhythms in the next trio of tracks. 'Ask Me in a Year' keeps things trim in the lowlights of 70s-styled easy listening; the cultured not cheesy variety. 'Prayers' contains a roots feel with fiddle and mandolin driving up the beat and the vocals moving into a duet, or at least active backing direction. Soft piano leads us into the quainter 'Leaving' creating an open space for the lyrics to pack a punch. The running order instinctively moves the tempo to chisel a varied listening experience.
The invitation to open the door and let in TRUTH & OTHER STORIES allows you to wallow in the mind-tingling world of Brigid O'Neill. Accolades and praise have emanated from her previous work, but the potential for more to spring up in new places is strengthened. Aural delight is the apt conclusion as a glint of emerald sparkles in another esteemed release curated in the bustling metropolis of Nashville's crowded music landscape.