Nick Mulvey—Dark Harvest, Pt. 2

From the moment I began listening to this album, one thing was immediately clear it carries a deeply spiritual quality. I’m not a religious person, but I’ve always appreciated the richness of different beliefs and cultures. Some artists manage to channel something profound through their music, something that resonates on a deeper level. George Harrison comes to mind, not during his Beatles years, but in the period when he truly came into his own as a solo artist. Even Leonard Cohen captured that same essence, sometimes buried deep beneath the surface, and other times shining unmistakably through, especially in his final album.

That being said, I don’t want to put off anyone who might read this and think, "Yeah, I’ll pass". If you do, you’ll be missing out on something truly special. There’s no need to believe in anything or search for hidden meaning, you just have to listen, feel, and experience it. And I hope, above all, that you enjoy it.

I thought this was Nicks' only other album, aside from Part 1 (which somehow passed me by), but it turns out he was a member of "Portico Quartet", a Mercury nominated band. His first solo release actually dates back to 2014. Anyway I digress.

The album opens with "Every Open Heart", beginning with what I believe is a harmonium accompanied by subtle vocal accents. Soon the guitar enters, with a distinctly Spanish flavour, and the song comes alive. After the first verse, the lyrics transition into Sanskrit, delivering a philosophical passage from Hindu scriptures that feels almost like a mantra. Translated, it reads something like:

"Lead me from illusion to reality
Lead me from ignorance) to knowledge
Lead me from death to immortality"

And it weaves effortlessly into the song, much like some of George Harrison’s work. There’s an undeniable sense of optimism, yet it remains grounded in something deeper. There’s even a synth solo, which might sound out of place on paper, but in the track, it just works beautifully.

The Spanish-influenced guitars continue into the next track, "For Real", which feels almost like a continuation of the previous song, yet with its own distinct signature. Around the halfway point, a guitar break emerges, and when the vocals return, they carry added depth and an almost hypnotic quality.

With "East of Eden", my first thought was of the James Dean movie, probably an age thing. The tempo slows here, resulting in a much more subdued and introspective track. It might sound silly, but it almost feels like an embrace, a comforting hug. The ethereal accompaniment only deepens this sense of atmosphere.

There’s no denying the more overtly religious overtones of "Supernatural Healing". The younger me might have instantly dismissed it for its frequent use of "Jesus" and "Lord" but sometimes you need to step back from dissecting every detail and appreciate the bigger picture. And there’s no denying, once again, this is a great track.

Sometimes a track doesn’t need much analysis, as is the case with "I Want To See You." Running just under two minutes, it essentially functions as a mantra, or a prayer, repeated several times. The message is simple, yet delivered with remarkable beauty.

"Wild Atlantic Way" is another track that starts simply but soon evolves into a real foot-tapper. The Irish influence is clear, not just in the instrumentation, but also in the place names mentioned throughout. There are a couple of standout solos as well, first a whistle, then a violin, each adding their own charm to the track.

I don’t think we need to dwell too much on the sentiment behind "Amen". There’s no denying it’s a great track, and trying to dissect it would likely only spoil the experience. Both musically and lyrically, it simply works, beautifully.

Track 8 pauses for a musical interlude, an instrumental called "Instrumental 2 (Cambridge)". Immediately, thoughts of the great Nick Drake came to mind. I’m not sure what it was, the simplicity of the guitar, the gentle humming, or perhaps something deeper, but the resemblance lingered nonetheless.

There’s a simple, understated beauty in "Handing It Over." The lyrics are moving, perfectly complemented by the guiding piano and the guitar, which adds subtle depth. The vocals are especially effective, particularly when layered over one another, creating a rich, immersive texture.

The album closes with "Find Me". Another seemingly simple track, though "simple" hardly does it justice. It begins understated but gradually builds, leaving the album on an uplifting note rather than a reflective, downbeat one.

I approached this album thinking of it as more spiritual than religious, though I admit my perspective may have shifted somewhat. That aside, the album is beautiful, uplifting, and at times powerful. Some listeners might hear elements that make them uncomfortable or prompt them to move on, but I would encourage giving the album a full listen before making a judgement. For me, this is an exceptional work, one that will certainly not be a stranger to my ears.