Daniel O'Sullivan - Folly

*****

Another work of genesis by Daniel O'Sullivan

The album has a nice atmospheric intro entitled 'The Air St Evignne', which is really short... before we are embraced by the new single 'Under the Knife' which you can see the video for at the bottom of this page. I think it's Daniel's daughter voice on the intro, which is a really nice touch. I like The Beatles Psychedelic era sound to this track, mixed with Morrissey's comeback vibe of 'We are the Quarry' but sounding more 60's / 70's and like a landscape atmospheric drifty song that takes you back to times of old. The feel of 'Folly' from the start, is like an old photo album... being opened and all the stories falling out in front of your face. 

This is shown best on the song 'Time elaspsing Blue', which has some of the vibe of his previous album 'Veld' but is lighter in comparison. The musicianship of 'Rattleman', reminds me of Nick Drake and Neil Young. It's a nice mellow, chilled down song... that takes you up in the sky to imagine things. The way the different instruments come in at the end of this track, is really special... and the light chanting hypnotic. One of my favourite songs on the album is 'Honour Wave', which I have seen Daniel O'Sullivan do live in a very special setting in London. It really hits at the heart strings, and the mixing of the male and the female vocals is just something special to behold.

The Traditional Folk values and methods put in this song, really continues the album on in the way I think Daniel intended it to... and the feel of the album does not drift off in a tangent and stays with what the content is meant to be. And I can say I have listened to so many albums, that have so many songs that are out of place. And this is not one, it seems in a way more like a film score... but really does have a feel of an album at the same time. Making 'Folly' something quite unique and special, and a record you can just put on and listen to without doing anything else at the same time.

The stand out piano, and steady tone of 'Air Tunes' really brings out Daniel O'Sullivan's vocals. 'Air Tunes' shows that Daniel is not just a great instrumentalist, he is a great singer with so much emotion in his vocals... that is just bursting to get out. 'The Diamond Vehicle' like 'Silhouette', from later on in the album... have a touch of a Ben Folds to them. Makes me think of the track 'Brick', even though I think Daniel O'Sullivan has more complexed layers to his songs. Both I think put simple melodies into dynamic spaces, and bring out something that you can't get out of your head. 

This continues on, with 'Penny Rag' which mixes up all the points I have made about previous songs on the album. And 'Silhouette' a song I mentioned before, is just a track that strikes you instantly and makes you want to find out more about the artist it was produced by. 'Utopiary' is one of the most interesting tracks on the record, and a little different from the other songs but not a departure from what he is doing on this album or previous records. You just have to listen to the piano intro for 'Amnion', just sit back and let this song take you on a magical journey. And the journey is explained on the final track on the album 'The coming of age Story', which feels like a very personal song for Daniel... you can feel all the passion he puts in from the beginning note.

'Folly' is such a magical release, from an artist that doesn't get the credit he should do. Daniel O'Sullivan is a modern day genius, that has brought the past to 2019... and does not feel Retro or Vintage. Daniel O'Sullivan seems current and new. I don't know many artists that can do this, and can reinvent themselves so many times and in so many ways. 'Folly' like 'Veld' is a work of genius, and records I will never forget and always play

Review by Dan Devour 

Check Out! the Video for 'Under the Knife' Below...