Album Review: Seán O'Meara, Notions, Potions & Emotions

Since winning the All-Ireland Fleadh in 2012, the Limerick multi-instrumentalist Seán O’Meara has spent years playing and touring alongside musicians of the calibre and renown of Sting, Bob Geldof, David Gray, Denise Chaila, Hermitage Green, Gavin James and Bone Thugs & Harmony – among many more. Now, the artist is finally stepping into the spotlight with his own debut solo album, Notions, Potions & Emotions.

O’Meara demonstrates wildly impressive levels of musicianship throughout. In addition to singing, he plays almost every stringed instrument on the album, including acoustic and electric guitars, bass, mandolin, banjo, tenor guitar and dobro. The result is a beautifully constructed work that oscillates between folk, pop and rock flavours, leavened always with an undeniable melodic flair.

The delicate opener ‘Life and Love’ is followed by the moody folk of ‘Departing Vow’, O'Meara showcasing his talent for productions that are both layered and hard-hitting, incorporating distinctive elements like gentle harp melodies and technically impressive banjo solos. Using reverb on the vocals, O’Meara achieves a vintage quality that gives the sound a powerful cohesiveness.

On ‘The One’, he successfully experiments with more straight-forward, catchy pop; ‘Feelin’ Ain’t Right’ slowly builds into an intensely gripping, anthemic number; and ‘Your Love (Gets Me High)’ incorporates delightful rock stylings, complete with larger-than-life guitar solos and gritty vocals. Elsewhere, O’Meara relaxes on the soulful and languorous ‘Thinkin About You’, and makes you want to slow dance on the gorgeously romantic ‘Head Over Heels’, with its masterful use of orchestral strings.

Similarly exhilarating flavours are peppered throughout ‘Lady’ and ‘Spaceman’, tracks that are decorated with elegantly atmospheric harmonies and incredibly catchy melodies. It makes a graceful close to a highly distinctive offering.

Notions, Potions & Emotions is a deft and impressive debut from a wonderfully accomplished musician.

8/10