Still best-known for her stint as Damien Rice’s singing muse, Lisa Hannigan’s first two albums were uncompromising sensuous swirls of loveliness which never quite took her beyond her native Ireland.
Third time around she’s been produced by her new co-writer Aaron Dessner. Without changing her basic approach beyond reminding her just what a great harmony singer she can be, The National leader has allowed Hannigan to dig deeper still inside herself, while giving her a sheen of new-found accessibility.
There’s much thoughtful darkness to wallow in and Prayer For The Dying and Funeral Suit are as despairing as their titles suggest.
But the slender Tender has an almost folksy hue, there’s a banjo solo on Undertow, while hope and warmth course through Snow and Barton. This is good work.
(Play It Again Sam)
