Multi-award-winning singer-songwriter Kim Carnie has released a new single, Òran na Bèiste Maoile (Càrn Records), ahead of her second solo album due in September 2025. The song is grounded in Gaelic folklore and shaped by world music influences. Notably, it is a collaboration with Senegalese kora player and vocalist Seckou Keita.
Written with Keita specifically in mind, the single builds on the duo’s 2022 collaboration. Carniecombines her cinematic Gaelic sound with Keita’s West African instrumentation.
The song draws from ancient seal-people legends and parallels the themes of The Moon tarot card, illusion, the subconscious, and the unseen. Its lyrics follow a woman who becomes a water-dwelling beast, exploring identity and metamorphosis. “This track feels like the heart of the album,” says Carnie. “I’ve written all new melodies for texts that are ancient, magical, and mysterious. I knew Seckou’s voice and musicality would bring this one to life in an entirely unique way.”
The upcoming album departs from traditional interpretations of Gaelic song, with newly composed melodies on all but two tracks. Each piece engages with a ritual, spell, or incantation, and will be paired with bespoke visuals and a custom tarot card.
The single features a lineup of acclaimed musicians. Carnie leads with her distinctive Gaelic vocals. Keita contributes kora and vocals, while Innes White plays guitar and provides backing vocals. Megan Henderson (Breabach) adds harmonies, with John Lowrie (Staran) on piano, James Lindsay (Breabach) on double bass, and Mark Scobbie (Mànran) on percussion.
Carnie is known for her silky vocals and her work at the intersection of tradition and innovation. She fronts Mànran, co-founded the supergroup Staran, and is an established composer and session vocalist, with credits on Netflix’s Outlaw King and Black Mirror.
The single follows the success of Kim Carnie: Out Loud, a documentary chronicling her musical career. The film earned awards including Best Song in a Film at the Milan Independent Awards and Best Music in a Feature Film at the Austin International Art Festival.
To support the new album, Carnie will begin a UK tour in September, with European dates to follow.
Òran na Bèiste Maoile was recorded at GloWorm Recording by Iain Hutchison, with additional tracking of Keita’s parts by Moussa Ngom at Goumel Studio Ziguinchor, Senegal. Mastering was completed by Peter Beckmann at TechnologyWorks Mastering.
More information: www.kimcarnie.com
Author: World Music Central News Room
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