Cold Sea

Cold Sea is the first solo release from Oisin Leech, who may be more familiar as one half of Irish folk duo The Lost Brothers. Recorded, to quote, ‘beside Trawbreaga Bay, in Co Donegal, on the Northern Coast of Ireland, in an old schoolhouse with a suitcase full of borrowed recording gear,’ it’s a beautifully atmospheric and chilled album – a contemplative, hopeful, auditory voyage. There’s a soft transatlantic vibe with Cold Sea, natural considering it is produced by Steve Gunn and features Tony Garnier (Bob Dylan’s longtime bassist), American singer-songwriter M Ward, fiddle from Roisin McGrory and bouzouki from Irish folk legend Dónal Lunny. Yet, it remains distinctly Leech’s creation, showcasing his prowess as a captivating and accomplished songwriter. Largely acoustic but interwoven with haunting electric guitar, synth and strings, the album exudes a timeless, evocative ambience. ‘Maritime Radio’ artfully incorporates snippets of a spoken weather radio broadcast, while ‘Colour of the Rain’ stands out as a melancholic, introspective gem. Closer ‘Daylight’, featuring Gunn on synth, provides a tranquil, laidback closure to a listen that will linger long in your mind. Cold Sea is a fragile, delicate delight.