Long-awaited debut from Belfast songbird
In the early days of this magazine, an EP arrived at the Paste office that stopped me dead in my tracks. Four simple songs with simple hooks, and a gorgeous, hushed voice bringing them to life with minimal accompaniment. We made her one of our first artists to watch, referencing her “slow and steady approach.” But I had no idea just how slow and steady it would be. Six years later, those four songs are finally on Enan’s debut full-length, and they’re all grown up. In fact, tasteful strings, piano and soft, jangly guitar call to mind a host of adult-contemporary artists like Sarah McLachlan and Shawn Colvin.
But underneath the production are the same lovely melodies that swept me away on first listen. “Moonlight” would have fit perfectly on Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me, the soundtrack to millions of late nights by a crackling fire and dozens of tender moments on TV. And “Bird” is the kind of song that could give John Mayer a respite from radio domination without wearing thin. Still, some of the albums’ best moments are on new tunes, like “Monoplain” and “The Grave,” when the instrumentation is stripped down and Enan’s delicate voice has room to flower.