Lemoncello is an Irish duo formed by Laura Quirke and Claire Kinsella. They are known for their blend of modern pop sensibilities with folk, citing artists like Björk and Simon & Garfunkel as influences. Their sound often results in spacious and intimate ballads.
For this, their second album, they showcase a more expansive sound, built upon musical motifs and allowed to develop patiently and organically. A good example of this is the album's opening tracks, "Clear Eyes Open Ready" and "Articulate Animal," which clearly establish a richer instrumental palette for the entire record, including strings, drum machines, acoustic guitars, and various production techniques such as the use of plug-ins and effects pedals. "At The Edge" continues in this vein, being one of the songs that expands the most in terms of dynamics.
With 'Karaoke Night', 'Meet Me Half Way', and 'White Flag', we have three excellent examples of what the quieter songs on this project have to offer. A heightened simplicity is achieved through the interplay between vocal melodies and the harmonies carried by the guitar and string arrangements, with subtle yet precise percussions that help to emphasize the most powerful, heightened moments.
This is an album that only grows on you with each listen, slowly drawing you into its world and the introspective and surreal ideas explored through both the lyrics and the soundscapes created by the music. It's similar to that feeling you get when you're at sea, sitting and watching the waves crash, losing all track of time.