Villagers - Awayland

Awayland by Villagers is an 11-track story recited by a group of fine musicians, laced with top production and wistful vocals that immerse the listener and ensures a decent festival circuit starting this year.

It will not set the charts alight but for what it – a traditional-sounding Irish folk album – it is accomplished, catchy and atmospheric. The lazy, sun-drenched nature of most of its tracks makes it ideal for lazy summer afternoons. The record has that distinct ‘time and place’ feel which will give the band a unique flavour on tours, and there has evidently been much care and attention invested in every second of each song. Each track is a landscape, often of the Irish countryside and evoking traditional scenes with a brush of Tolkien, so a full listen is akin to reading a storybook with accompanying panoramas.

Opener My Lighthouse displays a rich Paul Simon influence, lead singer Conor O’Brien delivering a narrative against a simple folk backdrop. It could easily have slotted into one of Simon & Garfunkel’s early records. Earthly Pleasure showcases the thick production that envelops Awaylands, giving a countryside image adorned by strings and a star-studded sky. The Waves, played on BBC Radio 6Music in the tail end of last year, starts delicate as petals but grows into a spiky release of adrenaline. By the end O’Brien’s vocals resemble a siren in a raging storm, these compelling pictures brought to life by the masterful production.

Throughout Awaylands makes a serious case for Mercury Prize consideration, whether there is a sing along chorus or a stark wash of suspense (wonderfully exercised in a James Bond-esque stream of strings in The Bell). This is probably the first seriously good record of 2013 and should appeal to all tastes. It is an excellent introduction to traditional folk, meriting Paul Simon comparisons and showing canny in its rhythmic arrangements. The Grateful Song is a rolling waltz and closer Rhythm Composer delivers an up-tempo stomp through a curtain of bells and classical guitars. It is the small touches that light up the album however, as demonstrated by the soft blares of saxophones in the closer. Lovers of finely crafted melodies should keep an eye out for this band, who begin a tour of the UK starting in February, though they should target summertime as the greatest stage for their meadow folk.