Let Love Rule

Listening to veteran Aboriginal singer-songwriter Archie Roach's tenth album is a tender and touching experience. The title-track opens with the lines ‘Oh when darkness overcomes us, and we cannot find our way / And though we keep on searching, for the light of day…,’ with Roach backed by the indigenous Dhungala Children's Choir; it's clear we’re in highly emotional territory. Roach's well-known personal journey, full of heartbreaking tragedy and uplifting salvation, is never far from the surface in his music, and this latest collection of new songs is no exception.

Exploring the theme of love from his unique perspective, hopeful tunes like ‘It's Not Too Late’ and ‘Love is Everything’ would certainly put any doubt to rest if further proof were needed that Roach has a big optimistic heart. Combining folk, country-swing and soul-gospel genres, there's the rollicking ‘Mighty Clarence River’, =and honest self-reflection on ‘Don’t Give Up on Me’. Produced by guitarist Craig Pilkington, guests include the soulful indigenous singer Emma Donovan and Argentinian charango lute master Jaime Torres.

As always with Archie Roach's music, Let Love Rule incorporates an equal amount of warmth and inspiration, which seems to accurately sum up the human condition.