aaamusic | On 05, Nov 2012

Murmuration is Jo Mango’s second album, which is set for release on the 5^th of November.  From the first song on the album, The Black Sun, it is easy to see that Mango is a wonderful lyricist, possessing skills of imagery beyond most musical acts. The Black Sun is a beautiful opener of wistful guitar and soft vocals. There is also a lovely variety to Mango’s music, ranging from guitar and piano to omnichord and kalimba, harmonium and bowed glockenspiel. The range of often unusual tools offers a wonderful freshness and variety to the album, truly setting it apart and making the listener truly listen. On The Black Sun, a backing of choir-like echo can also be heard accompanying Mango’s vocals about half way through, which although I felt seemed crowded on first listen, I know feel shows this variety and gives an eerie sense of the past and a longing for it.

Mango’s songs have a wonderful depth to them, yet at the same time they retain a wonderful sense of light from the vivid imagery created in the lyrics and the music. You can see even from the song titles that this is a dreamy album, with titles like, The Moth And The Moon, Kingdom and The Freedom of Seamonsters. It appeals very much to the ear of a dreamer, with Mango’s singing like beautiful whispers of nature and lyrics which build a world. It’s very much a folk-inspired album, yet sets itself apart from what has lately been an over-saturated scene.

 

It’s a lovely album that needs to be heard to be believed. The album reminds me of Long Gone Before Daylight by The Cardigans to an extent, in the folk-tinged style of the instruments and the vocal style. And as that is one of my favourite albums, that must be a complement. Certainly worth a listen for folk fans and dreamers.

 

★★★★★

Rose Benge