Album review: The Henry Girls, A Time To Grow

Donegal’s Henry Girls trio can mastermind harmonies warm enough to heat your hands on a cold day. Karen, Lorna and Joleen McLaughlin trade in an instinctively rich blend of the traditional Irish folk and hints of Americana and roots as part of an appetising musical concoction. You’ll find bits of Indigo Girls and Lara Marling in that stew too.

The brisk title track opens proceedings, with promising staccato effects, a skittery rhythm, a hoarse harmonica and the weaving of a dancing fiddle and harp among those trademark Henry harmonies. Written by Ry Cavanaugh and the Henrys. ‘Leaving Dublin’ is a sombre farewell to a relationship’s end with a plaintive accordion setting the mood for voices steeped in both regret and relief. A kora-like figure under a stark brass riff leads us into ‘Breathe’ with its appealing harmonies being breathed out as essentially as being sung. Delicious. The brittle ‘Not Your Fight’ has already invaded radioland in a classy link-up withì Ríoghnach Connolly out of The Breath on a song written by Connolly and Karen McLaughlin. Its timely lyrics hint at our collective helplessness in the wake of bigger events. There’s a sturdy, incessant drumbeat underpinning ‘Winter’s Day’, a simple, catchy work that could easily morph into a pop hit.

The Donegal trio might benefit from stirring the pot with some rough and rowdy ways, but the measured production by Tommy McLaughlin (Soak, Ailbhe Reddy, Pillow Queens) gives them room to excel at what they do best, creating memorable music that touches the heart as gently as it touches the mind.

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