Starlings

Singer-songwriter Dekel’s latest release is a self-proclaimed cultural smorgasbord, rich in Eastern European sounds and old Jewish melodies. Reflecting Dekel’s London base, there are gentle nods to English folk traditions too. Dekel is careful, though, to avoid ‘sounding folkish’ and aims for a sound that is not ‘too indie’ either. The title-track is a love song to autumn and the promise of fresh starts. It is a beautifully crisp, uplifting song, led by strings and accordion, perfectly complemented by Dekel’s warm, soulful vocals. The album features guest musicians Ian Burdge on cello, Ilona Suomalainen on accordion and Susi Evans on clarinet. The first single, ‘Season to Season’, is an equally lush slice of folk, blending melancholy with a sense of hope. Philosophical and charmingly optimistic, Starlings provides a hopeful soundscape for troubled times. At times mournful, at others hinting at rebirth, this album from Dekel is, at its core, an exquisite listening experience.