Harp - Albion (2023) [Official Digital Download]

“It’s not the destination, it's the journey,” suggested American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson in his essay Self-Reliance. But in Smith’s case, the reverse is true. The road to Albion might have been long and winding, and bumpy to boot, but the music Harp has created is steeped in sublime melody, mood, drama and detail, its ten songs and two mood-matching instrumentals framed by a mesh of acoustic/electric guitars, soft shades of keyboards and Smith’s gorgeous voice; in other words, the quintessence of what drew people in the first place to his work with Midlake.

But Albion has starker, darker hues than Smith is typically renowned for, which lifts Albion to new heights in his canon; likewise, the level of personal revelation. These are songs about the human condition, from love - both lost and found – to faith, anxiety to joy, fear to acceptance, all couched in a highly distinct poetic language. The lead track “I Am The Seed”, a song about creativity and helplessness, is a perfect entry point, sounding simultaneously blissful and haunting whilst capturing the changes that Smith has gone through since he went solo.

TRACKLIST

01. Harp - The Pleasant Grey
02. Harp - I Am The Seed
03. Harp - A Fountain
04. Harp - Daughters of Albion
05. Harp - Chrystals
06. Harp - Country Cathedral Drive
07. Harp - Shining Spires
08. Harp - Silver Wings
09. Harp - Seven Long Suns
10. Harp - Moon
11. Harp - Throne of Amber
12. Harp - Herstmonceux



Thanks to the Original customer.