It only feels like yesterday that we were interviewing Rachel Sermanni and she was telling us of her impending album release. Under Mountains was released this month and to mark its release Rachel recorded an exclusive Folk Radio UK session, all the tracks for which feature on Under Mountains.
Rachel’s song writing world is dominated by rich visual fairytale like imagery, the sea, stars, bone white moons, monsters and birds all enter her dreamlike world which she conveys in some of the most beautiful poetic lyrics I have heard. Add to this her sensitive arrangements and emotionally textured velvety voice and you have some very magical creations. ‘Under Mountains’ demands a unique space to be listened to, one you will want to lose yourself in for the whole duration.
Just as the imagery Rachel uses play a vital part in conveying deeper emotions, her unique and striking vocal delivery play out a similarly intricate part in each song. Whether it’s the gentle swaying rythm she gracefully annunciates on ‘Waltz‘ or a beautiful sombre fragility on ‘Ever Since the Chocolate‘ she brings every song alive in your minds eye with unbelievable clarity.
The range within her songs are wide and at times cinematic as they unfold. The album comes with a full set of liner notes with lyrics and just reading them on their own conveys a very talented poet.
Whilst the verses deal frequently in escapism there is also strength and a desire to stand independently steadfast…an ongoing struggle in the confusing search for inner strength. This balancing act is conveyed in ‘Black Current‘, one of the most moving songs on the album about the faith that others place in you. The closing lines are one of the most moving and emotional deliveries on the album, the whole song builds in such a way that the closing lines “For last night I dreamt you dreamt, That I was a bird” is a breath-taking finale…an incredible song.
There are so many striking moments on this album that will leave you simply lost for words, just be happy in the moving experience it will give. Rachel Sermanni is a masterful singer songwriter and ‘Under Mountains’ sets her clearly apart as one of our greatest singer songwriters today.
Enjoy the session:
Rachel Sermanni – Under Mountains Session
This session was recorded by Dave McCarthy at Limerick Studios. All of the tracks featured appear on Under Mountains:
Tracklisting:
Breathe Easy
Sleep
Black Current
Under the Mountains is released on ‘Middle of Nowhere Recordings’. Buy it from our Store here.
Rachel is currently touring Europe, get her tour dates and tickets here.