In the Magic Hour (Yep Roc, 2016)
Aoife O'Donovan
Reviewed by Lee Zimmerman
For the most part, "In The Magic Hour" finds her keeping to a strikingly mellow mix, with songs such as "Stanley Park," "Hornets," "Detour Sign" and "Porch Light" casting a shimmering glow that's tranquil, dimly lit and yet still remarkably effervescent as well. Traditional instrumentation like fiddle, guitar and mandolin fill every quiet niche, but it's her tranquil tones - conveyed with a voice that's soft, soothing and beautifully beguiling - that make the most immediate impression. It's an unassuming effort to be sure, but one that's genuinely enchanting nonetheless.
Still there are times when these reverent tomes threaten to dissolve into the ether entirely. "Jupiter" is nearly entirely a capella, "The King of All Birds" is so sparse, it starts its fade even before it reaches its conclusion. The gently plodding "Not the Leaving" appears to completely contradict its title. Nevertheless, the modest approach O'Donovan takes overall conveys its charms economically, but effectively. No wonder then that "In The Magic Hour" clearly casts a spell.
CDs by Aoife O'Donovan
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