Glasgow-based project An Dannsa Dub captivate with a magnetic sound throughout their second full-length, Through The Storm — unveiling an eclectic, colorful sound that fuses traditional Scottish music, reggae, dub, and electronica. The project is led by producer/singer Tom Spirals and Scottish traditional musician Euan McLaughlin, who are joined by Nicky Kirk (guitar), Maxi Roots (bass), and Ben Burnside (drums) — in addition to a number of talented collaborators throughout the release.
An atmospheric, tour-de-force opener, “The Storm Gathers” emits a sense of foreboding in its vibrant flourishes of strings, pit-pattering percussion, and folk guitar undercurrents. Much like a swelling storm, the instrumentation gathers with enjoyable momentum — then building into the more expansive “Low Down In The Broom,” featuring a riveting performance from Scottish singer and harpist Rachel Newton. The project’s dynamic hold continues as “Tha Mi Air Chall” infuses electronic intrigue and reggae grooves, further bolstered by spaciously dreamy vocal shifts.
Another standout, “I, Of The Storm” embraces a chilly folk immersion amidst Lewis McLaughlin’s gripping vocal introspection. The eye of a storm is conveyed artfully at the album’s mid-point, referencing darkening days as somber strings accompany the steady acoustics. The album consumes with an immersive sound on both more delicately unfolding gems like “I, Of The Storm” and more vibrant reggae-tinged infectiousness, on efforts like “Tha Mi Air Chall” and “All Things Shall Pass”; the latter is especially fantastic as an orchestral mystique takes hold past the three-minute mark. Through The Storm is a consistent, melodic success from An Dannsa Dub.
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“I, Of The Storm” is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Emerging Indie Folk.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
