Arrivalists – Its Own Time – Album Review
by Killian Laher

This year is really shaping up to be an excellent year for Irish music.  Pat Barrett is recording solo of late, as Arrivalists, and he has just released this short, home-recorded album.

It seems quite keyboard-led, with less prominent guitar than in his previous work.  Like much of Barrett’s music, it’s peaceful and lovely.  It starts with A Smile That Opens Up The Morning, gentle swirls of keyboards and Barrett’s soft vocals.  There is gentle percussion on We’ve Enough To Take Us Home. Barrett’s voice is particularly well captured on this album, and it is right up and centre on this track. His strong yet soft voice takes centre stage on In Between Moving.

The second half of the album leans more heavily on acoustic guitar.  It sounds close and intimate on When The Dreams Were All We Had, the laconic Carramore and the heartfelt, soulful North Strand Stars.  The album sounds both simple and charming, a different track jumps out at you each time you listen.  It’s available here.