Bronagh Gallagher’s debut album Precious Soul was released in 2004. You could observe therefore that this follow-up, co-produced with guitarist extraordinaire Conor Brady, is way overdue. Now that it’s here, however, let us rejoice. Bronagh Gallagher is a superb record.
In a way that is reminiscent of Duffy’s stunning debut, Gallagher nods repeatedly in the direction of the ‘60s and early ‘70s to marvellous effect, adding her own soulful vocal twist on top of seminal influences like Al Green, Otis and Dusty Springfield.
Her soul trading opens with the stirring Motown pastiche ‘Fool’, before immediately shifting down the gears for the sultry ‘Here They Go Again’, with the band conjuring a delicious gospel feel under Gallagher’s gripping vocal. The partially-autobiographical ‘Mexico’ is a sinister story of gangsters and love underpinned by a menacing drum pattern. ’Love Will Find You’, meanwhile, gets lowdown and bluesy, with a swelling keyboard and Gallagher’s voice coming straight outta Harlem. There’s a similar feel to ‘Not A Star’, its striking trumpet and Gallagher’s smouldering vocal giving it a visceral power. ‘Make A Move’ is so catchy it must be illegal.
Bronagh Gallagher has the poise and the artistry to evoke the full flavour of music created decades back and a world away. It helps that Brady has surrounded her with vintage musicians and backing vocalists capable of bridging the gap between the music of then with the vitality of now. But ultimately this suitably eponymous record is a triumph for Bronagh Gallagher herself. Let’s hope it achieves even half of Duffy’s success.