From the mystical realm of Germany and Ireland fused rises folk singer-songwriter Sinéad Ann, who harnesses the enchantment of her surroundings in musical form. Last month saw Ann cast her latest sonic spell Four Walls.
A quiet ensemble of acoustic guitar, electric piano and shimmering drums pacifies listeners while Ann’s voice floats above. Her inherently folk tone is chill inducing, creating prosody between the pensive lines “I jump… I quiver… I get goosebumps.”
The instrumentation widens to occupy more open space before collapsing into an ethereal break. But the rest is cut short when the chorus swallows the emptiness, in an increased pace reminiscent of nature’s effect on a heartbeat. Overdubbed vocals make whimsical incantations that elevate the intensity.
Listeners are guided, again, back into that restful verse where dreamy strings serenade them. The shifting arrangements feel crafted to embellish Ann’s captivating vocals and words.
As the final chorus rears its head, the instrumentation builds into an unrelenting pinnacle that embodies the song’s final form. It evolves from a hushed folk tune into a brooding force of repenting verses and cascading polyrhythms. Each passing phrase acting as the stroke of a brush painting an ever-clearer picture.
It comes to a reflective end with the same quiet ensemble which it began but possessing more soul.
Four Walls is available to stream now.
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