Kirsty Almeida - Moonbird (2020)

Currently based in the North of England, the Gibraltarian returns with new creative vigour following a short recording hiatus, which saw her devoting time to her young family. Influenced by the experience of motherhood, an innate love of storytelling and affinity with the natural world, Almeida’s ten-song collection exhibits accomplished songcraft, rich arrangements and exquisite production.

Recorded between a variety of studios, including John Ellis’ Limefield studio, 80 Hertz, Pinhole Sound and Low Four Studios at Manchester’s Old Granada studios, the album sees the former Decca artist enlisting the services of GRAMMY award-winning engineers Jerry Boys and Greg Calbi to record, mix and master the LP.

‘This album debuts the real me,’ Almeida states, ‘the gentle warrior, the artist, the wizard, the child, the girl, the woman, the mother, the lover, the broken, the found and the rebirthed.’

Title track Moonbird uncovers psychedelia within a serene soundscape, while I’m Going to Love You encapsulates the sound of the New Orleans saloon or Hootenanny celebration. Josie Brown, a blue but uplifting first-person account of an elderly childhood mentor, captures the warmth of Kirsty’s voice and guitar playing, embellished with dustings of acoustic piano and delicately-placed strings, elevating the humble song to glorious heights. Hearing it for the first time, musician and producer Martin Glover, aka. Youth, commented: ‘If that’s a true story you’re a very good songwriter and if it’s not, you’re a f**king genius.’

Kirsty’s love of 18th and 19th century parlour guitars also informs her songwriting. Instruments crafted for women that reflect femininity, they lend what Kirsty terms an ‘indescribable magic’ to songs like You Make My Heart. Parlour guitars aren’t the only captivating stringed instruments in use, however, as John Haycock’s West African kora adds light, regal melodies to the subtly arranged Step into the Light.

‘I am so thankful to the musicians who made this album with me,’ Almeida professes. ‘They poured their beautiful musicality into the album and helped me build my wings with their encouragement. I am more me than I ever have been and this album is my most honest offering to date.’

The singer who gave the world a wondrous collection of winter songs here eschews the darkness of wintertide, bringing light and positivity to the fore. ‘I feel like the last five years of my life was a journey into the darkest places in me’ Kirsty explains, ‘bringing light to the most painful places I never even knew existed ‘til post nap depression and PTSD cracked me open, so I could become the best version of me. Now, I’m healthier and happier than I ever was before and I have such a new appreciation of music and my relationship with it.’ Almeida returns an artist reborn, creating her finest work to date.