Moonlight In Visby
Tone Tree, 2022
8/10
The debut album from Brian Macdonald, as Victor Mucho the singer-songwriter penned this album while living in Sweden, where him, his wife and dog were sequestered in a rural area, which provided the mood for this fragile and lonely listen.
“island (two dead swans)” leads the album with reflective acoustic guitar and raw singing in the intimate folk song, and “Many Moons” follows with a fuller approach that welcomes drums into the soaring demeanor that’s quite emotive.
Elsewhere, “Pictures Of LIfe” twinkles with a sublime, dreamy appeal that’s acutely poetic, while “So Terribly Hurt” offers a song about the dark side of love, where Molly Parden’s chilling voice complements the rich landscape.
“Old Golf” arrives near the end, and is charmingly gorgeous amid the sparse melancholy, and “Made A Fire” exits the listen a bit fuller with even a hint of pop in the subtle melody.
A record that’s textured meticulously, the glockenspiel, fretless bass, mandolin and backing vocals are used sparingly but effectively across the cathartic beauty of this very cautious first album.
Travels well with: Alice Cohen- Artificial Fairytales; Wes Collins- Jabberwockies