ALBUM WEEK OF THE

Anna Mieke Theatre Nettwerk, Out Now ★★★★☆

Anna Mieke’s follow-up to her lauded 2019 debut Idle Mind has been eagerly anticipated. The ebb and flow of the Wicklow woman’s folk-tinged soundscapes bring to mind, among others, Joni Mitchell, Suzanne Vega and Lisa Hannigan but she, like them, journeys beyond the expectations of most folk music. Her travels in Spain surely inform her acoustic guitar style, particularly on Coralline. Traditional Maori percussion, heard while she was exploring New Zealand, appear an influence on For A Time as it builds to a crescendo. Mieke’s voice is rich, melodic, persuasive rather than passionate. Songs linger as long as they need to.

The six-plus minutes you spend listening to Salt, Mannequin and the seven minutes she asks of the listener for Coralline are a gift. Harp, piano, fiddle, flute and sax are summoned and ushered away as needed while Mieke’s vocals enchant throughout.