Before We Change Our Mind

Take a handful of insanely talented Irish musicians, two accordions, guitar, fiddle, bodhrán, piano and vocals. Add 14 years of writing and gigging and four stunning studio albums and you will have some idea of where Beoga are at now, on their fifth studio album. Also thrown into the mix on this release are a string quartet, a bass and some backing singers.

Beoga have already proven themselves to be well worthy of their place among the greatest of the international folk scene. The worry with bands like this is that they eventually run out of steam. These guys show no sign of deceleration, however, and continue to pump out the high-energy brand of virtuosic Celt-shred they are renowned for. Among the floor-fillers are some beautiful more soulful numbers featuring the warming voice of Niamh Dunne, and some slower instrumental numbers with real groove. The perfect setting for listening to this album? Driving along a rugged coastline on a stormy day.