SJD - Southern Lights
Over the course of three albums, Sean Donnelly has developed a signature style of electronic sonics and down-home folkiness that delivers both an emotional gravitas and a cornucopia of interesting aural effects. From a to b or not to be nudges against Dimmer's Crystalator as it barrels toward point b, throwing up screeds of guitar dust and note decay. Track is a beautiful paen of directionlessness and regret utilising a female Roberta Flack-like chorus. Something about the wordplay of Rising, Falling Rising's "radio coming into range behind the ranges" describes his (and our) isolation and indiosyncracies in music-making. Close listening reveals obsessive layering that betrays an enormous attention to detail. SJD's early dancefloor leanings are evident with an organic springiness to the rhythm beds. Swooning Van Dyke Park-type strings arranged by Victoria Kelly embellish many cuts to great effect. Donnelly's voice has developed as an expressive instrument from tentative beginnings and he pulls a surprising range from it, somewhere between Lee Marvin and Chris Martin. Vulnerability and loss seem to recur as themes. A substantial and multifaceted record by anyone's yardstick.
By Jacob Connor
Review kindly provided by NZ Musician magazine
