False Lankum CD

False Lankumnbspfollows their 2019 breakthrough albumnbspThe Livelong Day, which paved the way for critical and commercial success, earning them that yearrsquos RTE Choice Music Prize the Irish equivalent of the Album of the Year Grammy and the 8 spot on NPR Musicrsquos Best Albums of the Year list. Drawing on traditional folk songs, Lankum put their own dark, distinctive mark onto each, leaning into heavy drones and sonic distortion that imparts new intensity and beauty into each track. This record sees the band cement their breakout from the folk genre, creating bold, contemporary music that may be fashioned from traditional elements but is firmly new, sitting comfortably alongside Rough Trade labelmates like black midi and Gilla Band.nbspFalse Lankumnbspalso features two original tracks, lsquoNetta Perseusrsquo and lsquoThe Turnrsquo, both penned by the grouprsquos Daragh Lynch.lsquoGo Dig My Graversquo was discovered by Lankumrsquos Radie Peat who learned the particular version on the album from the singing of Jean Ritchie, who recorded it in 1963 on the albumnbspJean Ritchie and Doc Watson at Folk City. It is a member of a family of songs which seem to be largely made up of what are known as lsquofloating versesrsquo, originally composed as stanzas of various different ballads, some of which date back as far as the 17th century.ldquoOur interpretation of the traditional song Go Dig My Grave is one that centres around the emotion of grief ndash allconsuming, unbearable and absoluterdquo explain Lankum, ldquoA visceral physical reaction to something that the body and mind are almost incapable of processing. The second part of the song is inspired by the Irish tradition of keening from the Irish caoineadh ndash a traditional form of lament for the deceased.nbspRegarded by some as opening up lsquoperilous channels of communication with the deadrsquo, the practice came under severe censure from the catholic church in Ireland from the 17th century on.rdquoFrom the start, Dublinrsquos Lankum planned fornbspFalse Lankum, their fourth record and third for Rough Trade, to feel like a complete piece ndash a progression and a journey for the listener. ldquoWe wanted to create more contrast on the record so the light parts would be almost spiritual and the dark parts would be incredibly dark, even horror inducing,rdquo they explain. The albumrsquos 12 tracks, composed of 10 traditional songs and two originals, show the fourpiece using a new palate to colour their sound in an increasingly experimental way, alongside longtime producer John lsquoSpudrsquo Murphy.