The Niall McCabe Band - Part of The Light

This is the debut album from Cork-based four-piece the Niall McCabe Band, though you’d be forgiven for thinking it was actually their fourth or fifth. It is a brilliantly assured, fully-formed opus that definitely doesn’t suffer from any first time nerves.
Comprising 12 tracks, song-writer/multi-instrumentalist McCabe’s transatlantic soul sound is warm, rich and layered with a shed-load of smooth melodies. In particular, fans of Van Morrison and Jeff Buckley will find much to love on the LP.

Opener ‘Big Heart’ features a great hook, an interesting guitar part and a subtle but effective dash of Hammond organ. Elsewhere ‘All I Need’ proves the quartet have plenty of skills when it comes to crafting beautiful, swoon-some ballads. Vocally, McCabe calls to mind Paul Brady and My Sweetheart The Drunk-era Jeff Buckley. The quality control does dip in places, but this Clare Island native has real soul, elevating the likes of ‘So It Goes’ to something-special status. For all of the admittedly impressive playing of a fine backing band, it’s actually the stripped back, voice and ukulele-led ‘Uke’ that emerges as the stand-out. A simple but beautifully effective song, it ends the album in style.

Out March 21.