Sometimes the names and titles used by an artist perfectly encapsulate what to expect from their sound. Celestial North’s Otherworld feels very much like a case in point. From that name and album title, to songs like Restless Spirit, When The Gods Dance, The Nature Of Light, and Warrior Of Peace; these songs sound like their titles suggest they should sound like, and kind of tell you everything you need to know about their music. But, I am writing a review so I can’t really leave it there. I should try to tell you a bit more about it and whether it’s any good or not. Spoiler: It is.
This is the debut album from the Lake District-based Scottish artist, working alongside husband, Woody (formerly of British Sea Power/Sea Power), and even an appearance from her daughter on backing vocals, making this a family affair. Musically, it combines elements of folk, electronica, and dream pop, to create soundscapes which are appropriately cosmic and otherworldly, yet are a celebration of the natural world as much as anything.
Are You Free, which actually comes towards the end, perhaps would have worked perfectly as an intro as it captures the mood of the album. The white noise of flowing water, slowly building up with layers of piano, bass, and a ghostly harmony, leading into a spoken word piece, which is almost like an origin story. Topped off with a simple anthemic hook. It’s like magic being born out of nature.
This may be a slightly lazy comparison based on the shared Scottish twang of the vocals, but the opening four song run brings to mind Chvrches, albeit a slightly more subdued version. They’re the songs most obviously indebted to an electro sound, with tribal rhythms and dance beats building into big anthemic choruses. But, whereas Chvrches’ synth-pop feels designed for darkened rooms with flashing lights, these songs feel like the soundtrack to a night in the woods lit only by the moon, stars, and campfire. So, maybe like Chvrches after spending some time at a nature retreat.
It may take a few listens before some of these songs really start to reveal themselves. The ethereal sounds can slightly wash over you on the first couple of listens, particularly as the more upbeat openers lead into the more hushed tones of the instrumental Yarrow and ritualistic chants of Warrior Of Peace and Stitch. But you’ll be rewarded for sticking with it, as the likes of Otherworld and Olympic Skies sound bigger and better with every listen.
There’s a theme of escape running through the album. On standout Olympic Skies, that’s an escape from modern life; “I’m out of love with the modern apocalypse”. While, elsewhere it’s an escape into nature, “The nature of light, it will find you”. In her own descriptions of the album, Celestial North has talked of the likes of ‘Pagan euphoria’ and ‘sacred stone circles’. Even if that isn’t your thing, this is an album to escape into and make you wish it was.
Rating:
Best tunes: Otherworld, Yarrow, Olympic Skies
Note – this review was originally published in July 2023 as part of a new music roundup post. It has been re-published separately here for archiving purposes.
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