Album Review: Eileen Tackney – 'The Return Home'

The healing power of music can take many forms. Some find it in the opening notes of The Byrds’ ‘Mr Tambourine Man’, while others prefer meditative music that takes the listener on an inward journey. 

Cavan native Eileen Tackney’s third album, her first since 2015’s Towards The Sun, might be assumed to fall into the latter camp, but there’s much here that will repay attentive engagement.

With its featherlight touches, the Enya-esque opener ‘Two Worlds’ sets the mood. Both ‘Twilight’, sporting particularly alluring vocal harmonies, and ‘Free Falling’ (not the Tom Petty hit) open with seductive keyboard chords, which give way to soothing soundscapes. 

Tackney’s more contemporary leanings emerge on ‘On The Road Again’, courtesy of its subtle, skittering percussion.

There’s an appealing liquid feel to the title-track, reinforced by beguiling strings, both real and synthetic. As per the title, ‘Step Away From The Phone’ acts an antidote to today’s device-obsessed world. Overall, Tackney has conjured a rich, ambient melange that dips into various genres, while always remaining accessible — you feel you’re always in the safest of hands.

Out Now.