Laura Cannell's latest album, Brightly Shone the Moon, is a poignant exploration of the darker side of winter. The folk musician weaves together traditional melodies with personal reflections on love, heartache, and the weight of the season.
The album begins with a nod to Cannell's childhood Christmases in Norfolk, where she was introduced to organ music in Methodist chapels and churches. This echoes in the opening track, O Christmas Tree/O Tannenbaum, which features Cannell's fiddle quivering around the 16th-century melody like a snowglobe settling into memory.
The song "All Ye Faithful" is a haunting reminder of how stifling winter can be for many, with love feeling stuck and trapped, much like the lyrics are rooted around in the ground. However, Cannell's music also finds moments of beauty, particularly in "Lost in a Merry Christmas", where high melodies flutter around each other, only to melt together.
The album's darker moments find their release in tracks such as "Bleak Midwinter", which channels urgency and hope into an icy rush, while "Angels Falling from the Realms" showcases Cannell's mastery of flickering long-forgotten hymns. This is music not for partying or decorations, but rather a sonic journey through time, illuminated by whispers of Christingles.
This year's crop of festive releases includes Anna Pidgorna's Invented Folksongs, which channels Ukrainian folk traditions into her avant-garde style, and Michael Winograd's spirited live performance of the Dave Tarras klezmer album. Winter Wonderband's Joy Illimited offers a mixed bag of festive tunes, including takes on classic songs learned from the Watersons and Boo Hewerdine.
For fans of Laura Cannell's work, Brightly Shone the Moon is an essential addition to their holiday playlist – a poignant and haunting exploration of love, heartache, and winter.
The album begins with a nod to Cannell's childhood Christmases in Norfolk, where she was introduced to organ music in Methodist chapels and churches. This echoes in the opening track, O Christmas Tree/O Tannenbaum, which features Cannell's fiddle quivering around the 16th-century melody like a snowglobe settling into memory.
The song "All Ye Faithful" is a haunting reminder of how stifling winter can be for many, with love feeling stuck and trapped, much like the lyrics are rooted around in the ground. However, Cannell's music also finds moments of beauty, particularly in "Lost in a Merry Christmas", where high melodies flutter around each other, only to melt together.
The album's darker moments find their release in tracks such as "Bleak Midwinter", which channels urgency and hope into an icy rush, while "Angels Falling from the Realms" showcases Cannell's mastery of flickering long-forgotten hymns. This is music not for partying or decorations, but rather a sonic journey through time, illuminated by whispers of Christingles.
This year's crop of festive releases includes Anna Pidgorna's Invented Folksongs, which channels Ukrainian folk traditions into her avant-garde style, and Michael Winograd's spirited live performance of the Dave Tarras klezmer album. Winter Wonderband's Joy Illimited offers a mixed bag of festive tunes, including takes on classic songs learned from the Watersons and Boo Hewerdine.
For fans of Laura Cannell's work, Brightly Shone the Moon is an essential addition to their holiday playlist – a poignant and haunting exploration of love, heartache, and winter.
winter can be so suffocating you know? it's like all the joy is just trapped inside and can't get out... but then there are moments where she lets loose and it's like a snowglobe has shattered and all these beautiful melodies are flying everywhere 
o christmas tree is giving me all the feels it's like i'm back in my childhood again, listening to organ music in those old churches... but at the same time, songs like bleak midwinter are just so raw and emotional it's like she's tapping into this deep well of pain and hope all at once 
can't wait to listen to more of her stuff, this album is def a must-have for anyone who's ever felt the weight of winter 
I'm totally with Laura Cannell on this one - there's something so magical about her folk music that captures the mood of winter perfectly 
. The way she weaves traditional melodies with personal reflections is pure gold 
. But what really gets me is how she doesn't shy away from the darker side of things, you know? It's like, the holiday season can be super stifling and isolating for some people, and I think that's something she's really tapping into 
. Her music is like a warm hug on a cold winter's day 
. And I love how she incorporates all these different styles and traditions - it's like a sonic journey through time! 
it's like she's tapped into this otherworldly atmosphere that just resonates so deeply. I mean, have you listened to "All Ye Faithful" yet? It gives me chills every time 
but at the same time, tracks like "Lost in a Merry Christmas" make me want to twirl around with joy 
. The way she weaves traditional melodies with personal reflections is pure magic 
. I need this album on repeat all winter long 
can't wait to add brightely shone the moon to my holiday playlist ASAP! 
.
i mean who doesnt love winter but also hate it at the same time? her music gets me every time 
️ cant wait to listen to more festive releases this season!!
The way she weaves traditional melodies with personal reflections is like a warm hug that slowly fades away. I'm especially loving "Bleak Midwinter" - it's like she's singing straight to my soul 
and the use of old hymns is pure magic 
. And can we talk about how beautiful her songwriting is? It's like she's capturing the essence of love and heartache, but also finding solace in the darkest of times 
. but for laura cannell, her music feels like a breath of fresh air - it's like she's taking all these melancholy feelings and turning them into something beautiful 
. i mean, have you ever listened to "bleak midwinter"? it's like she's capturing the desperation in winter's darkness, but also finding this weird sense of hope in it 
. I mean, who needs a snowglobe when you can listen to her fiddle quivering around the organ music in O Christmas Tree/O Tannenbaum? 
. Anyway, if you're into that folk stuff, I guess her album is decent... 
. And I have to say, I'm intrigued by how she takes these classic Christmas songs and gives them this new, introspective twist