Album Review: Remedy Club, Back To You

The third album from Ireland’s king and queen of Americana, aka KJ McEvoy and Aileen Mythen, is a life-affirming oasis in a global desert of bad news. Once heralded in these very pages as “Ireland’s best-kept secret”, it’s now quite clear that the band’ classy tunes and glorious harmonies continue to reel in overseas fans too.

The opening title track launches the album in appropriate feelgood style – a big, energetic, strings-and-brass effort, with Mythen giving it her all. Mythen also sashays effortlessly through the loping R&B of ‘Roll With It’, which boasts funky guitar from KJ amid more rousing brass. There’s a Springsteen feel to ‘It’s Alright’ with its chiming guitars and uplifting harmonies, with Mythen again delivering on a toe-tapper that begs to be put on repeat.

It’s also a generous tribute to a fellow musician, the late Gavin Ralston. There’s a Zen-like “let’s live for the moment” quality to ‘Write Me A Letter’, where the chiming guitars beguile from the off. Elsewhere, there’s a folksy country strain running through ‘Worthwhile’, which oozes casual charm. It’s a country cousin to ‘Texas Sky’, which features evocative pedal steel and KJ’s superb guitar playing.

Back To You is overflowing with musical ideas that the duo and producer Gavin Glass have harnessed into one cohesive work. It should be available free in every pharmacy.

Listen: ‘It’s Alright’
Score: 8/10

Out now.