What do you get when you combine three sharp musical minds on a project? When those minds are Kris Drever, Martin Green and Aidan O’Rourke, it’s safe to say that what you get is pure brilliance times three. Lau’s latest concoction of musical delicacy has a lot to offer; just like their earlier releases, Arc Light pushes the edges of the folk genre, creating something accessible to a diverse audience, and with a quirky Scottish ambience.
Arc Light is the band at their best, showing – as usual – instrumental genius with a wink and a smile. The album is eclectic, poignant and enchanting; from the mellow chords of introductory track ‘The Burrian’ (available as a free download below), to the resounding orchestral feel of ‘Stephen’s’, Arc Light combines a sense of folk tradition with a contemporary edge.
Folk music is all about tradition, and tradition is all about history; if history had an athem, Lau would be it. The beautiful sound of this three-years-young trio is astounding, articulate and brilliant. If there’s one album you’re going to buy this year, make it Arc Light, because Lau are stunning.
