Ajimal - As It Grows Dark / Light (2020)

On his latest album As It Grows Dark / Light, O’Hanlon shows us how quick he is at mastering his craft. With the help of producer Guy Massey (The Beatles, Manic Street Preachers, Radiohead), AJIMAL creates one of the most haunting, gut-wrenching, calming, and emotional folk records of the century. His voice can move mountains, whether it be in ghostly whispers that would give Billie Eilish a run for her money (“ANIMALS”, “A Rapture Coming”, “How Could You Disappear?”) or soft falsettos that put you at ease (“Alive, Awake!”, “It’s Real”, “I’ve Known Your Heart”). AJIMAL puts the ambient in ambient folk, taking us on a whimsical journey on all ten songs, and trust me, you’re gonna need some tissues.

There is a major sense of maturity in O’Hanlon’s songwriting. His debut Childhood gave us a hint of the power he had, but As It Grows Dark / Light expands it nearly as wide as the oceans. When each song stands out, that means something is being done right. You will never be able to find a dull moment on As It Grows Dark / Light.

It’s hard to find an album where you can listen to every single song and say that they’re all amazing. And no doubt about it: As It Grows Dark / Light is one of those albums. From the quiet and chilling moments found in the opening number “ANIMALS” to the nearly seven-minute long grand finale “For Good, Forever”, each song is able to shine bright. O’Hanlon has created lyrical gold, and with how rich his tone is, it makes everything feel so spectacular.