Album Review: Tootawl – Tootawl

Tootawl’s atmospheric debut evokes the feeling of sitting in a cosy pub pre-pandemic, listening to a local artist hone his craft. Recorded entirely live to tape on an old reel-to-reel, Cork native Richard O’Gorman takes the DIY approach – and the authenticity pays off.

Opening with slow-burner ‘You Wouldn’t Believe Me’ – an exquisite mix of harmonica, harmonies and acoustic guitar – the pace rarely accelerates, though the record is none the worse for that.

‘Every Man Has a Woman (Who Hates Him)’ and ‘I Saw You Staring Into Space’ are standouts, offering intensely personal reflections on love. ‘Do Yourself A Favour’ and ‘I Mourn’ boast smoky guitar riffs a la the Peaky Blinders soundtrack, while ‘Two Hundred Years’ explores the mark a person can make on the world in their lifetime.

The influence of Nashville on Tootawl’s brand of contemporary folk can’t be missed, yet the storytelling flair is distinctively Irish. Impressive stuff.

• Out now.