Adenine

Focusing on themes of nature, landscape and the language of Scotland, harpist and composer Ailie Robertson's new release under her stage name Adenine is a genuine treat. Each of the album's five tracks takes its name from a Scottish word for rain and makes fine use of natural sounds in its recording. Opener ‘Smirr’, for example, captures Adenine's harp reverberating dreamily while accompanied by the rhythm of falling rain: a beautifully evocative introduction to an intimate and irresistible recording. Focusing on quieter, introspective moments rather than dramatic aspects of the Scottish landscape, and with the average length of each track at just under eight minutes, Adenine is a truly contemplative listen and all the more seductive for that. The album encourages a meditative journey, both in the landscape as well as Scotland's history. The sole (archival) voice on the album comes from the Skye poet Norman MacDonald as he recites his 1937 poem ‘Don Eilean Sgitheanach’ on ‘Flindrikin’, while closing track ‘Haar’ enlists some notable guests on strings, including Donald Grant, Catriona Price, Felix Tanner, and Su-a Le. It's a track rich in echoes, memories, and whispers lost in mist. A beautiful sound to conclude what is a stunningly affecting release.