While the release of compilations of Irish female singers is hardly an innovation, Café Irlandaise moves beyond the obvious.
The enterprise is primarily the brainchild of Valerie Hely from In Valour, whose track ‘Higher’ is a slice of cool electronica, Hely’s deliciously ethereal voice melting on top like soft icing. She’s in fine company here, not least with the sonorous, sumptuous chamber rock of Síle Ní Dhubhghaill, aka Si, on ‘Toy Soldiers’, and the Connaught-based pairing of Low Sea’s psychedelically-flavoured ‘Never Yours’. Laura Sheeran’s ‘Murderous Love’ has a sinister undertow, and another captivating offering is Sive’s ‘Sunkissed’, the enchanting vibe of which could well break hearts. There’s ‘Kick’ from Margaret O’ Sullivan, trading as Femmepop, with Chris Geddes of Belle & Sebastian lending a hand (two actually, since he’s a keyboardist).
The nature of this compilation may prompt accusations of sexism from some quarters, but in the end, albums stand or fall on the quality of the music within. This one stands.