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Sunny optimism reigns on seventh album from Irish troubadour which conjures images of Majorca in the summertime, while its lyrics that speak to the evanescence of relationships and human existence.
Fionn Regan first burst onto the music scene in 2006 when he released his debut album, The End of History. It was nominated for several awards, including being one of the twelve albums shortlisted for a Mercury Music Prize in 2007. It was rightly feted at the time by critics and fellow members of the music community for the strength of its songwriting, which inevitably drew comparisons to the likes of Nick Drake for its evocative, literary lyricism.
O Avalanche is Regan’s first album since 2019’s Cala, and like its predecessor, it was written in the village of Deia, on the northwest coast of Majorca, a place he calls his “true north”. Regan has described the album as one that reminds him of a film “that starts cinematically and develops in abstract ways. It moves in different sequences, backwards and forwards”. Many of the song titles reference the terrain he inhabited during the album’s production, such as Teix Mountains and Deia Song/Llucalari, while lyrically, there are numerous references to the Majorcan landscape – and to summer sun and light – during its duration.
The record arrives as a continuation of his journey into Regan’s reflective, poetically-charged folk, yet at the same time, it feels like something quite distinct and of a mood piece all by itself.
Lead single, Islands, issues forth, rolling and tumbling, its sun-dappled lyrics and melodies evoking its Mediterranean setting: “We danced all night on the Spanish sand/ And the stereo played loud/ She wrote her name on my arm/ And I lost her in the crowd”.
The title track, O Avalanche, features his friend, the actress Anna Friel, on backing vocals. It hints at a powerful descent, and the music within reflects the songwriter’s emotional and creative power.
The album’s immersive nature makes the songs feel part of a greater whole, but its key strength lies in its overriding sense of optimism and positive energy. The many references throughout the album to the sun and light reflect the happy state of mind that Regan occupied during its creation. Even on numbers like the beautifully fingerpicked Farewell, which probably most closely approximates his earlier material, listeners are presented with an optimistic parting line—more of an adieu than a final goodbye.
At its very best on uplifting numbers like Into The Light of the Sun, Regan achieves creative parity with anything he’s released previously, the song playing like an intimate confession, cloaked in enigmatic phrases that linger in the mind after the last note:
“Lover you’re gone, Down that road alone, Into the light of the sun.”
Regan’s reverbed vocals here—as elsewhere—are wispy yet resonant, delicate yet capable of cutting deep, hinting at the solitary and fleeting nature of human existence.
Similarly, the successor number, Headphones, hits the very highest notes, exemplifying his ability to create worlds of imagery within a few lines. The song’s narrative is driven by a rawness and sense of yearning reminiscent of early works yet infused with maturity and, at times, haunting melancholy.
In O Avalanche, Fionn Regan offers a quietly powerful experience. Although it’s a departure in some ways, it retains the essence of his signature style: a folk heart wrapped in atmospheric production. Fans of his earlier albums will find much to appreciate, while new listeners may discover in Regan a rare voice capable of bridging vulnerability and resilience with every softly sung note. This album is a testament to Regan’s enduring creativity and willingness to explore new territory without losing the authenticity that has always defined his music.
O Avalanche (1st Novemeber 2024) Nettwerk
Stream/Order: https://fionnregan.ffm.to/oavalanche
