The word ethereal is used a lot in music. Too much, really. Not least by overly-verbose scribblers like me. But sometimes no other word will do. And there is certainly something of that unearthly delicacy to be found in M3G’s vocal delivery here. Not just that unadorned, unaccompanied opening, but the way her voice often walks a fine line between the physical and the otherworldly throughout the song.
But a voice alone doesn’t make a song (though it can go a long way.) What makes her latest single, “Rooks,” work so well is the space that she allows herself. That space between the gentle ebbs and flows of guitar, around the gentle beat, that atmosphere of sonic grace, is what lets the light in. It also allows room for additional textures and tones to pool and percolate in the pauses between breaths and between one fading note and the ushering in of the next. This space frames every sonic brush stroke and allows room for each to do its work without fear of collision. In a world of garish musical oil paintings, it says: be a delicate, understated watercolour.
Space is important, but so is authenticity, and as she pours her heart out, you wince at every painful thought she puts into words, feel every crack of that breaking heart. But “Rooks” is also an anthem of optimism, and resolves with her finding the freedom she sought from that dark relationship.
Not only a beautiful song, but any artist who makes me take a mental note to give Sinead O’Connor’s brilliant debut album a spin and, once again, revel in the majesty of tracks like “Troy,” can only be a good thing. Right? Right!
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