Album Review: California Irish, The Mountains Are My Friends

Featuring a who’s who of NI songsmiths, and led by golden-larynxed rock god Cormac Neeson from The Answer, this newly-minted supergroup were born from an ambition to give us all a much needed sonic tonic.

Drawing influence from the legendary Laurel Canyon artists of the ’60s and ’70s, Hot Press Hot For 2025 picks California Irish are about heart, soul and hooks – and their debut has all that and more in abundance.

Created over four fevered days, and sticking religiously to old school analogue recording methods, The Mountains Are My Friends is an uplifting album, fuelled by life, love and liberation. The feelgood, honky tonk piano-driven ‘Big Questions’ is a treat, while Cormac and co. take us all to church with the beautiful ballad ‘Julie Ann’.

The seven-piece sound like world-beaters when they go for a walk on the weird side, and the aptly named ‘Something Different’ – which doffs a May Day mask to the iconic Wicker Man soundtrack – is a showstopper full of haunting vocals and rich melodies.

Moving and magical, California Irish’s debut is a welcome riposte to those who reckon they don’t make ’em like that anymore.

9/10

Out now