Album review: Bróna McVittie – Supernatural

State 51/Company of Corkbots [Release date 16.10.26]

Ulster singer‑songwriter, harpist and biologist Bróna McVittie returns with ‘Supernatural’, her fourth solo album. Released to coincide with Samhain, the ancient Irish festival when the veil between worlds grows thin, ‘Supernatural’ stands at the threshold between folklore and contemporary sound art, between ancestral memory and modern storytelling.

This album is a companion to McVittie’s illustrated folklore anthology ‘A Way with the Fairies’. Guest musicians include pioneering flamenco guitarist Antonia Jiménez; Ukrainian bandurist and singer Anastasiya Voytyuk (known as Bandura Girl); Lithuanian vocalist and composer Jausmė, and the album was produced by Thomas Gandey. The latter is a key to album’s overall sound as Gandey is electronic music producer and composer, and that electronic meets natural instruments mix is where Bróna McVittie and her music come into their own.

Opener ‘The Stolen Child’ has been released as a taster of the album and the song that hooked this reviewer. Definite shades of Clannad (and on ‘My Lagan Love’, a beautifully sung song), along with a more modern, electro feel. ‘Humpy’ was the other song released ahead of the album, bringing to mind the likes of Groove Armada.

‘Black Rogue’ could easily fit into daytime play on BBC 6 Music with its pulsating electro beats and those rather fine vocals from Bróna McVittie. If Tangerine Dream ever went into Celtic folklore they may well sound like this…

Jausmė guests with stunning effect on ‘Brothers (Broliai)’. Jausmė’s singing melds perfectly with the harp playing of Bróna. Similar musical magic is created on ‘White Bird (білий птах)’ which sees Anastasiya Voytyuk taking lead vocals, and again the harp provides a soothing sound, along with the choral like backing vocals. Of the guests, special mention to of Antonia Jiménez mesmerizing guitar on ‘Haeda’.

The most haunting tune on the album, ‘The Wooing of Étain’, finishes it off style. The harp, electronics and vocals make for a heady mix.

What an album and what a listen (on headphones and with no outside distractions dear listener). Escape into this wonderful and magical musical soundscape created by Bróna McVittie. An album of this year, and indeed any year. ****1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

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09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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