Michael Owens’ debut solo album as Owensie last year marked a sea change from his known musical past of distorted guitar and heavy rock songs. Aliens, the debut in question, showcased finger plucked lilting guitar sounds soaked in candlelit folk and chiming classical guitar melodies set to a previously unknown falsetto.
With his second album Citizens, the lyrical concerns of the past are very much present. With a title suggesting a person less on the fringe but still dealing with the toil and trouble of every day life and society, it’s pleasing that the music is more expansive, a great deal sunnier, mixing the chiming riffs of before with a gentle sway that is reminiscent of latter era Beck and warm and lolloping alt-rock.
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The album moves at a sprightlier pace featuring greater instrumentation and collaboration in the form of Lewis Hedigan (drums), Julia Mahon (saxophone, string arrangements), Andy Mooney (percussion), Dek Hynes (bass and keys) and Ailbhe Nic Oireachtaigh (viola). There’s also an appearance, like his Portugese turn on Bantum’s ‘Roll Part 2’ of Owens’ non-falsetto voice, which sounds a great deal like Richie Egan’s. A welcome surprise on a second album which furthers Owensie’s sound into more vibrant circles.
Citizens is launched in Dublin at the Unitarian Church on Friday the 26th of October and is released on Out On A Limb on the same day. The album artwork is by Michael’s son Tadhg.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
