Now, O Now
Top Floor, 2024
9/10
The Boston duo Rakish return with a sophomore album, where Maura Shawn Scanlin and Conor Hearn are joined by a couple of guests for the cultured folk tunes.
The warm and flowing “Lonely Hotel Room” opens with Scanlin’s bright voice alongside Dylan McKinstry’s agile drumming and Hearn’s light guitar, and the title track follows with the folk friendly guitar alongside Scanlin’s meticulous fiddle via much beauty.
Further along, “The Morning Glory” is strong on ambience and mood thanks to the mature strings and cozy acoustic guitar, while “Islands In The Sea” brings back the drums amid gentle banjo and poetic singing for the album’s best.
Deeper yet, “The Soldier, The King, The Peasant” benefits much from the elegant fiddle and acoustic guitar interacting with much intimacy, and “Fool’s Spring/The Tourtoise” exits with rich instrumentation and an authentic Celtic spirit.
A very unique blend of Americana and Celtic nods, Rakish also embrace chamber moments for these adventurous and often mountain-esque rooted songs that leave an indelible impact.
Travels well with: Matt Krahula- Last Goodbye 11; Rubyjoyful- The Pie Chart Of Love