Windings – It’s Never Night (Out on a Limb Records)

Young Limerick-based singer/ songwriter Stephen Ryan has been living a schizophrenic existence for the past few years. Initially demanding attention on the Irish scene as the guitar and screaming half of hardcore Punk/Metal duo Giveamanakick, he started Windings as an outlet for his plaintive acoustic alter-ego, releasing a low-key yet striking self-titled set back in 2005.

It’s taken a while, but since Giveamanakick’s death rattle in 2008 Ryan has gradually assembled a five-piece band of renown to bring his new vision of the band to fruition. As a result, the acoustic-based introspection of the debut album remains happily intact, but on their new album It’s Never Night the production (courtesy of Tommy McLaughlin of Villagers fame) is lush and perfectly layered, with glockenspiel, melodica and organ adding subtle colouring to the traditional guitars, bass and drums.

While over-loading hardcore rants like “Postal” and “God Knows” seemed rather incongruous amidst the gentle finger-picked folk the last time out, on It’s Never Night, Windings get the balance absolutely right. Sparse, melancholic confessionals like “Lil’ Hands” and the resonantly personal “Apologia” ( wherein Ryan whispers “I’m filled with spite and hate, but I know I can make you happy”) are punctuated by songs with proudly beating Pop hearts like the glorious 12-string chime of the recent single “Brain Fluid” and the trebly Buzzcocks-y guitars of the hook-stuffed “You Did”.

Ryan’s love of the finest abrasive Punk-Pop still manifests itself in places. The cranked-up, plaid-shirted thrills of “Poor In The Mouth” are hardly a million miles away from the seething chainsaw pop of Hüsker Dü’s New Day Rising, while the epic breathy harmonies and chugging chords of “These Horses Also Ran” build the tension dramatically before guitar pedals are liberally kicked and a squalling, Dinosaur Jr-style blow-out finally spills out of the speakers. Ryan’s hero J Mascis is also name-checked during the finale of “Old Like J” yet instead of the expected sonic abandon, the song is executed with a gentle restraint, providing a haunting and dignified exit to a record wise beyond its’ years.

This sophomore release is a major step forward for this Limerick band. While Stephen Ryan has long impressed me as one of the most promising Irish songwriters around, his new improved Windings now have the invention and punch to match him step for step. It’s Never Night rages against the emotional dying of the light and comes out victorious. Hear it.