Album Review: ØXN, CYRM

The debut album from this hot new Irish amalgam, is an adventurous plunge down an experimental path that offers a fresh and exciting take on trad. ØXN (pronounced “oxen”) comprises Lankum vocalist Radie Peat, plus Katie Kim, Eleanor Myler, and John ‘Spud’ Murphy.

The formula is set. Each CYRM track starts tentatively, then relentlessly builds on atmospheric, electronic instrumentation that contains an appropriate sense of doom. Despite ‘Cruel Mother’ and Scott Walker’s ‘Farmer In The City’ passing the nine-minute barrier, neither outstay their welcome.

Other highlights include ‘The Trees They Do Grow High’, an old chestnut this time sung from a woman’s perspective; ‘Love Henry’, recorded by Dylan for his World Gone Wrong, among others; and ‘The Wife Of Michael Cleary’, originally by Irish artist Maija Sofia, about the cruelty inflicted on the innocent Bridget Cleary.

The doom lifts a little for ‘The Feast’, a reworking of a Katie Kim song.

Meanwhile, title track ‘Cyrm’ (pronounced “syrum”) opens up a whole new sonic landscape, courtesy of stunningly imaginative production. Terrific stuff.

9/10