As far as collaborations go, few can match the uniqueness and depth unveiled in the debut album from Ward Knutur Townes. Debut may be prematurely suggesting we are at the beginning of a lasting association, but the evidence presented in UNANSWERED signs this special project as far from exhausted. While the prior and future solo careers of Derby-based folk artist Lucy Ward, Canadian singer-songwriter Adyn Townes and Icelandic troubadour Svavar Knutur will remain core, it can safely be recorded that collaboration has showered them with creative enrichment. From the dark yet innovative days of the pandemic to the re-invigorated joy of inter-personal interaction, this North Atlantic unison punctuates a crowded sonic landscape with fascinating songs intrinsically curated and pristinely propelled from source to receptive ear.
The spark for this project was the Global Music Match initiative that entwined musicians via the online tools of the day. This trio were far from done when formalities ceased. The eventual inaugural personal meeting was a studio in Iceland to capture the moment for a wider audience and now we move onto a physical release backed by an extensive run of UK dates. You could say the circle is now fully turned.
The fruits of Ward Knutur Townes are encapsulated in an eleven-strong song collection, all original to a large extent if you factor in the adapted poem that closes the album. On 'Orgar Brim' the two native English speakers meet the Icelandic counterpart entirely on their turf, bravely yet confidently embracing a language far from home. This a stark piece of international cohesion that gives the record a rounded dimension.
All three protagonists add a distinct vocal flavour to the content. The UK folk fraternity will be well versed in the East Midlands brogue of Lucy Ward and her attraction to a protest stance against social injustice. One of the album's standout songs is perfectly cast for her to attack as she adds a fervent part alongside the other two in 'Everything'. Adyn Townes brought a theme of stark inequality in his home city of Montreal to the writing table and the trio spun a gem of a track.
The contributions from Townes are the most definitive vocal parts on the album. A purely personal resemblance links them with Danny Schmidt, can't think of any other reason relating two voices divided by the length of the North American continent. However, both work for me so I'm in. These are particularly strong on 'Work It Out', one of the record's more pacy efforts written in response to the pandemic, and a standout candidate in 'Seasons'. The latter is an ode to the Johnny Cash - June Carter love story and a track given a more evocative edge when Ward's vocals join in.
Svavar Knutur may be an outlier on the first language front, but his presence is integral whether on vocals, guitars and keys or bringing some of his country's folklore to the project. He is right upfront on all aspects of 'Isn't it Funny' in the album's midstream alongside supplanting the myth behind what is set to be the most intriguing legacy track on the record. 'Unanswered' takes the story of a disconnected phone that has been known to mysteriously ring as a starting point before weaving in linked tales and perspectives all adding a curious flavour. This compelling track in the penultimate spot also introduces snippets of the Icelandic language.
A musical high on the album is a fiddle part interwoven between some beautiful harmonies on 'Paper Plane'. Joining the named trio are a further three musicians adding the aforementioned violin alongside customary percussion and bass.
Ethereal themes are incorporated via Ward's creative inspiration on opening track 'Astronaut', where we are graced by Townes' vocals for the first time, and a further fantasy inclusion in 'Aurora'. The final two tracks to complete the set see Townes once again vocally upfront for the Knutur solo write 'Your Love Was Death to Me' and all three significantly coming together on 'Medusa' with a theme of the travails of touring. A facet known too well to the trio on their personal individual musical journeys.
UNANSWERED is an album of layers. For light touch engagers, there are moments of instant appeal from vocals and scattered melodies that resonate from the off. Dig a little deeper and the strength of collaboration flexes its musical muscle. Ultimately, the true worth lies in the power of unison and three diverse songwriting musicians melding together to seamless bridge differences and traits. The winner is the magic of music and the journey it can take. Being at the receiving end of the Ward Knutur Townes project is not a bad place to be.
