Róis- Mo Léan review – Jude Rogers’ folk album of the month

Rose Connolly, known as Róis, is a remarkable singer from County Fermanagh, making waves with her debut release that delves into the ancient Irish tradition of caoineadh, or keening. This pre-Christian practice involved a woman expressing her deep sorrow with a lamenting wail at a graveside, a powerful way to confront grief and the fear of death. Once nearly extinct due to discouragement from the Catholic Church, this tradition is revitalized by Connolly, who infuses it with modern elements like synthesizers, distortion, and drones.

The title of her album, “Mo Léan,” translates from the Connemara dialect to “woe is me,” setting a poignant tone for the collection of five lengthy tracks. Each piece is interspersed with evocative interludes, including the tolling bells that announce the Irish 6 PM news and a darkly humorous radio segment apologizing for the absence of death notices that day. The opening track, “What Do You Say,” melds somber bass guitar with Connolly’s initially hesitant, chant-like vocals, which gradually escalate to an emotional crescendo.

“Cití,” a reinterpretation of a song by County Donegal’s Cití ní Ghallchóir, begins with Connolly’s breathy sighs over a steady beat, eventually embracing the cheerful tones of the Taishogoto, a Japanese harp, to reflect the lighter moments that can arise at a wake. Another standout, “Caoine,” is a visceral piece that Connolly felt driven to perform after hearing it on local digital radio. It evolves from animalistic sounds into a dark, electronic pop epic, while the closing track, “Feel Love,” could easily flow into a Charli XCX remix.

In contrast, “The Lovely Appearance of Death” takes a gentler approach, reminiscent of a Methodist hymn, layered with immersive soundscapes that highlight Connolly’s natural vocal beauty. Primarily produced by Connolly herself, with contributions from John “Spud” Murphy of Lankum and Belfast producer Tailtiu, “Mo Léan” firmly establishes her as a captivating new artist.

Additionally, this month brings us Shovel Dance Collective’s debut album, “Shovel Dance,” a bold and ambitious work from the London-based folk ensemble that seeks the sublime through their impressive musicianship and innovative blends of musical styles. Scottish-Indian singer Chloe Matharu presents her second album, “Sailors and Rolling Stones,” offering mainstream-friendly Scottish maritime songs infused with her distinctive vocals and Celtic harp, reminiscent at times of a psychedelic Scottish Enya. Lastly, the album “Throat” by Nick Power of The Coral and composer Mark McKowski features beautiful original folk curios that evoke a sense of “lost” songs, with highlights including the brooding “Return of Ghillie Man” featuring Jolie Holland and “The Tailor and the Mouse.”