Album Review: Anna McLuckie - Today, Everyday

This debut album of Edinburgh-born Anna McLuckie; Today, Everyday was released on 5th February and is a haunting collection of nu-folk poetry set to music. The songwriter and Celtic harpist is now based in Manchester, and rose into the light when she competed in Series 3 of the Voice UK in 2014, as part of Will.I.Am’s team before being voted off the show. Her first single, ‘Glistering Gold’ was released later in 2014, and with her band she played festivals such as Greenman and Kendal Calling, as well as a living room tour of Germany.

The lead track in the album, ‘Water the Plants’ is a quirky tune, and the animated music video matches it perfectly. There is a string heartbeat throughout the next tracks; ‘To Be Still’ connotes a relaxing mind-music feel for the album. The accompaniment of various string instruments provides a cosy feel paired beautifully with McLuckie’s clear Edinburgh accent.

McLuckie’s enunciation also comes through beautifully in ‘Downtown’, a song that provides such beautiful imagery with its lyrics it is impossible to concentrate one anything else when it is playing; the song builds as she describes a love many can relate to, opening with “my feet are cold and needing yours”.

‘Red Sun’, like most of the tracks on the album, has Laura Marling vibes, with lilting melodies and a beautiful repetitive accompaniment with a relaxing rhythm, leading to a change in key or pace part way through, making each track an unexpected journey for the ears.

The final track, ‘Morning Song’ speaks of a romance that is doomed, asking “is it over yet”. McLuckie’s range is amplified beautifully in this track, with perfect pitch across the scales.

An album with quirky riffs and blessed with a beautiful voice; it's easy to get lost in the beautiful and hypnotic instrumentation, while McLuckie’s vocals still remain the star performance.

Words: Emma Bailey