Roehind – Buile (Roehind, 2023)
American vocalist Roehind ingeniously defies musical boundaries con her delightful multilingual debut album, Buile. The Los Angeles-based artist challenges preconceived notions of Celtic music in the modern era and delivers a wonderful mix of tasteful electronic elements with a wide range of songs grounded in Celtic traditions. The title of the album, Buile (pronounced BWILL-uh), is an Old Irish term encapsulating “madness” or “frenzy.” It evokes the essence of ancient pagan rituals and ecstatic visions, offering a fitting introduction to her debut album.
Roehind artfully weaves together Celtic folk, electronica, and world music influences, creating a distinctive and captivating soundscape that balances the ethereal with the immediate. Far from the conventional jigs and reels associated with Irish pubs, her music transcends expectations.
Demonstrating vocal and linguistic skill, Roehind explores an eclectic array of traditional and contemporary songs in Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, and French. From the transfixing pulsating rhythms of “Dheannain Sùgradh” to the ethereal harmonies of the title track, “Buile Shuibhne,” she navigates a dynamic musical landscape while anchoring the listener with an entrancing voice. In her music, you can hear echoes of some of the finest modern Celtic music artists, like Enya and Capercallie.
Buile also features the earthy bodhrán drumming and enchanting vocals of Celtic and trad music veteran Christa Burch, known for her role in The Syncopaths. Burch’s contributions, particularly on the emotive “Tiocfaidh an Samhradh,” complement Roehind’s exploration of blighted love, adding a poignant layer to the narrative.
Blighted love, a theme resonating deeply with Roehind, serves as a personal backdrop to the artist’s transformative journey. Alys Hoy, the creative force behind Roehind, departed from a visual art and illustration artistic career marked by burnout and depression. Seeking rejuvenation and joy, she delved into music production during the COVID-19 lockdown. From crafting her own arrangements to recording and producing in a modest home studio, and even designing the album artwork, every element of “Buile” reflects Hoy’s dedication; a genuine labor of love.
Musicians: Alys Hoy on vocals, mandolele; Christa Burch on vocals, bodhrán; Chris Matthews on flute; Alex Sturbaum on mandolin, bouzouki, rhythm guitar; and Alec Stanley on guitar.
Album art by Alys Hoy.
Buy Buile.
Author: Lisa Miller
