On April 11, 2025, Irish musician Lullahush (Daniel McIntyre) released his latest album, “Ithaca.” McIntyre brings in other artists to help him make the album what it is. The album was released via Future Classic.
There are traditional instruments and vocal styles that are
mixed with electronic sounds and contemporary mixing. The songs, except for “Raglan
Road,” are sung in the Irish language, Gaeilge. This is important as it helps
keep the language alive and allows new audiences to hear it being sung in a way
they may not otherwise have.
While some of the digital sounds are great additions, others
hinder the album. A few of the effects sound like farming tools, which could be
seen as a homage to Ireland’s past. However, quite a few of the digital sound
effects felt like they were put in without a specific purpose. It was difficult
to focus on the music itself with the different effects happening. While this
is fine, if the goal is to get traditional Irish music in front of new
audiences, this may distract them from the music itself.
Those who are fans of traditional Irish music may find the
digital sounds of the album distracting. The vocals are often mixed in a way
that breaks up the sound of the voice, which makes the tracks a bit difficult
to listen to. There are ways to modernize these tracks, but it was not always
the most successful on this album.
While the songs all have an electronic makeover of
traditional Irish music, the song that holds the most true to the classic form
is “Raglan Road.” The melody is the most intact on that song and while the
mixing with digital sounds is present, it still somewhat resembles the classic
song.
Overall, the album fuses traditional Irish music with
contemporary sounds in a way that brings traditional music to new audiences and
gives the music new life. While hardcore fans of traditional Irish music may
not like the digital sounds within the tracks, those who may otherwise not
listen to this music can be introduced to it. Track list:
1. An Droighneán Donn
2. Maggie na bhFlaitheas
3. Jimmy an Chladaigh
4. Maija an Uisce
5. Maddy na Farraige
6. Kitty na Gaoithe
7. Dónal na Gealaí
8. Máire na Réiltíní
9. Raglan Road
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