Once you’ve spent thirty minutes in the musical presence of
Mo Kenney, the spell of her magnetic appeal is a lasting emotion. The event
referred to was the support slot Mo played for Rachel Sermanni last year and
once hooked you eagerly await the next move. Well in the UK, the follow up to
Mo’s debut album, which was a popular purchase on the aforementioned evening,
is now about to be released and it further enshrines the enigma that is Mo
Kenney. Instantly the more ratchetted up sound will hit your senses hard as IN
MY DREAMS steers you away from the previous sensitive song writer into an
artist with a greater profound impact.
Of course this is likely to be your introduction to Mo Kenney
and be prepared for an unconventional record where a pop tinge belies the deep
and dark undertones buried within the lyrical substance. Bordering on insular
and heavily in explorative mode, this album challenges itself to maximise the
impression in its thirty minute duration and is forever fascinating in its
reception. Mo’s appealing vocals sit well alongside a multitude of
instrumentation under the direction of Canadian music icon Joel Plaskett.
Including Mo, the team of players is only a trio, but they collaboratively add
a depth to the ten tracks which make up this record.
Four tracks with contrasting traits make a case for the soul
of the record as the intensity unravels to reveal an artist with plenty of
emotion to explore through the lyrics. Apart from ‘Telephones’, one of the four and characterised by an infectious
beat, Mo has a hand in writing the other nine songs either as a solo piece or
co-write project. ‘Take Me Outside’
is the song which probably packs the most powerful punch with a slice of
explicitness to make a far from subtle point. ‘Pretty Things’ and ‘In My
Dreams’ see Mo in a more reflective mode than the general mood of the
record with the former a laid back number with an effective moment of dreamy
melodica, while the latter sees a return to the sensitive and milder side of
Mo.
Awards were forthcoming in Mo’s Canadian homeland after the
release of her first album and this record will garner similar praise, but its
alternative and indie focussed angles may stretch the folk community which
showered the original love. This more genre defying record will challenge the
discerning critic, although the occasional hooks and the dotted around
memorable chorus parts enhance its wider attraction with captivating and
engaging proportion. Album opener ‘I Fake
It’ leaves a cautious trail and acts as the perfect antonym to the reality
of Mo Kenney as an intriguing and inspiring song writing performer.
Take a punt on IN MY DREAMS is the recommendation and free
your mind to the work of an artist who will leave more than a mark of intrigue.
Mo Kenney certainly did that when first crossing my path in 2014 and investing
a similar length of time by listening to this record will do likewise to many
others following this advice.
www.mokenney.com