You Are Free

Perhaps best known as one third of the mighty Talisk, Graeme Armstrong’s debut solo album presents the singer-songwriter as a talented and promising artist in his own right. You Are Free features many of Armstrong’s favourite traditional songs, such as ‘Isle of France’ and ‘Fine Flowers in the Valley’ as well as interpretations of tracks by those who have influenced his career – songs by Karine Polwart and Michael Marra feature as does a superbly fragile and heartfelt rendition of Dick Gaughan’s ‘Both Sides the Tweed’.

With a sensitive ear Armstrong presents new, fresh interpretations throughout You Are Free with a clever and atmospheric use of synth blending well with more traditional instruments. Echoes of Boo Hewerdine, Sandy Wright and Kris Drever filter through Armstrong’s vocals, especially so in his cover of Wright’s ‘Beads and Feathers’, and Armstrong enlists an impressive list of guests too, with Rachel Newton, Duncan Lyall and Mattie Foulds featuring among many others. As a debut You Are Free is impressive, especially so in the quality of Armstrong’s own writing – listen, for example, to ‘William’s Song’, a timelessly sweet tune for his son, while the title-track laments the loss of a close friend. One to look out for.