The album opens with "Wishing For Blue Sky", a track I'd heard as a single some time ago and one that immediately convinced me this was an album I would have to review. The song adheres closely to the slowcore tradition. It opens with ambient sounds and footsteps before the guitars arrive, but it was when the vocals entered that everything fell into place for me. There's something very familiar about the track, not in the sense that it copies anything, but in the way it makes you feel and how completely it draws you in. This isn't intended as a direct comparison, but I experience the same sensation listening to Oasis' "Champagne Supernova" and Mike Mangione's "The Killing Floor". There's an almost palpable sense of purpose running through the song. It's easier to feel than it is to write about. At over eight minutes long, it's a bold way to begin an album, but it proves to be the perfect introduction.

"Does The Shade Choose Who To Comfort?" opens with evocative strings that immediately lends the song a distinctly Gaelic character. Combined with the steady drum that drives the track forward and the understated vocals, the result is something reflective and quietly melancholic. The song feels rooted in memory, carrying a sense of longing without ever becoming overly sentimental.

I'm not sure whether it is indeed magpies greeting us at the start of "Two Magpies", but the birdsong provides a lovely segue into a track that begins in earnest with acoustic guitar before the vocals arrive. Everything about the song feels unhurried. The lyrics are given room to breathe, allowing the listener to settle into the atmosphere. I was particularly drawn to the recurring line, "Like a dream awake". It's a simple phrase, but one that captures something universally appealing. Who doesn't yearn to live the dream?

Another drum-led piece, "Memorise Your Senses", continues the album's Celtic flavour. In my mind's eye, I picture a bodhrán providing the rhythmic backbone, though whether that's actually the instrument being used I'm doubtful. Whatever the source, the percussion is relentless without ever becoming aggressive. It feels assured, purposeful and unwavering. The vocals occasionally brought Jeff Buckley to mind, not because they mimic him, but because of their emotional reach and vulnerability. I could easily have imagined him inhabiting a song like this.

"Dark Edges" begins in a more atmospheric and ethereal fashion before the acoustic guitar enters. Lyrically, the song is deceptively simple, built around a central verse that is repeated four times, each iteration subtly altered. On paper, it sounds like a structure that shouldn't work, yet somehow it does. The gradual shifts in perspective keep the listener engaged, while the extended instrumental outro adds depth and allows the song to arrive at a satisfying conclusion.

With its more traditional acoustic guitar accompaniment, "Keeping You Awake" is a beautiful song that rolls forward effortlessly. Lyrically, I found myself intrigued by what sounded like passages in French, which are then, I think, translated into English before being expanded upon. I may be mistaken, as it's been many years since I studied French, but the effect is striking regardless. The multilingual touches add another layer of texture to an already elegant song. Delicate vocal harmonies drift through the arrangement, enhancing rather than overwhelming its simplicity.

There's a seamless transition into "I Buried All The Answers", another track built around acoustic guitar. When the vocals arrive, they sit noticeably closer in the mix, creating a greater sense of intimacy. Structurally, it shares some similarities with "Dark Edges", featuring a sequence of verses that gradually evolve. This time the variations are more pronounced, making the song feel like a slow unfolding conversation. As the lyrics draw to a close, the music expands into the extended instrumental passage I'd been hoping for, though there's one final twist. The last verse is held back until the end and reveals itself as a reprise of the opening verse, bringing the song full circle.

The album closes with "Spirit of Place", an instrumental piece featuring what sounds to me like a Spanish classical guitar. It's a deeply evocative composition and an inspired choice for a finale. Without vocals to guide interpretation, the emotional character feels more elusive. At different moments I hear sadness, anxiety and even a faint hint of menace. Those shifting moods create a lingering sense of uncertainty that remains long after the final notes fade, making for a memorable and thought-provoking conclusion.

This is an incredible album. For me, the opening track alone is something I could happily play on repeat, but that's not intended to diminish the rest of the record. Every song contributes to a work that feels carefully crafted, emotionally resonant and wholly immersive. It's an album that rewards patience and attention, revealing more of itself with each listen.