River Waiting

If last year's self-titled four-track teaser from Northern Ireland quintet Connla introduced an outfit of promise, their debut long-player confirms the arrival of an ensemble with a great deal to offer. Hailing from Derry and Armagh – whose traditions fuse here in fresh and vital performances – the group have already been picking up awards on both sides of the Atlantic. Deservedly so on the strength of this offering. Eight of the 12 tracks (a mix of instrumentals and songs) are new, and all are marked by fleet and finessed playing. Ciaran Carlin's flute is a haunting presence on ‘Escaldàrium’, Paul Starrett's Spanish-accented guitar no less evocative on ‘For Doc’ and bodhrán player Ciara McCafferty's vocals are a thing of infectious beauty on the lilting ‘Moon and Stars’ and slow burning, pop-edged title-track. Siblings Emer and Conor Mallon contribute telling atmospheres of their own throughout on harp and uilleann pipes, the whole thing deftly aided by Fintan Mulholland's guest percussion. On equally solid ground are the traditional items: Mary Dillon's ‘The Boatman’ being quietly intense; ‘Pilot’ being a vivacious coupling of Niall Vallely's ‘Skyhope’ and the feisty ‘Jackson's’. A band this young shouldn’t be this good.