In 2016 The Breath, a duo with a heavily poetic writing style, impressed with their debut album Carry Your Kin. Two years later, they’re posing in front of misty scenery for their new album cover. It’s landscape reminiscent of their native Manchester from where they bring this traditional folk music, a brilliant fusion of Rioghnach Connolly’s light and airy vocals and Stuart McCallum’s genius effects. These two characters seem to be complete opposites and yet they mix like water and wine, as illustrated by their second album Let The Cards Fall. With John Ellis on the piano, Sam Vickery on the bass, and Luke Flowers on the drums, The Breath dive into a soft and personal folk style to bring out deep and intense feelings.
The opening track, Ditty, starts the album off with some soft and mysterious humming. Then once the ritual is over, Breath reveal all. The folkloric violins paint a picture of the Scottish highlands on All That You Have Been and Connolly’s tone brings some emotion to the acoustic ballads such as Let It Calm You Down: that covers the first part of the album. Later a jazzy core rises on Trip the Switch and even soul beats on What You Owe. The album is a sophisticated and flavoured blend of jazz, pop and Irish folk. Although Let The Cards Fall is wrapped in a thick fog, it holds a warm atmosphere. Overflowing with creativity, mesmerising nuances, and enchanting lyrics. This is an ideal album for a rainy autumn day. © Clara Bismuth/Qobuz