20.
ENYA
DARK SKY ISLANDNew Age / Celtic / Easy Listening
released November 20th, 2015
via Warner Music
1. The Humming… [3:42]
2. So I Could Find My Way [4:25]
3. Even in the Shadows [4:13]
4. The Forge of the Angels [5:12]
5. Echoes in Rain [3:33]
6. I Could Never Say Goodbye [3:28]
7. Dark Sky Island [4:56]
8. Sancta Maria [3:50]
9. Astra et Luna [3:20]
10. The Loxian Gate [3:33]
11. Diamonds on the Water [3:33]
DARK SKY ISLAND is
Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin as
Enya (Vocals / Instrumentation / Mixer)
Eddie Lee (Double bass on 3)
Roma Ryan (Lyrics / Loxian language)
Trivia: The name of this album refers to the island of Sark in the southwestern English Channel. In 2011, Sark was designated the first ‘Dark Sky Island’ in the world, where light pollution is banned. Cars are also banned from the roads there.
Dark Sky Island is my favorite Enya album, which says something because I love all her music. It was her first proper album in 7 years, with the misfortune of being released on the same day as Adele’s 25, but was still successful selling over 900k copies worldwide. It’s got the familiar songwriting style Enya’s known for, but extremely polished and refined until it shines like a star. You’ll find no dark side of the emotional spectrum on this record – only comfort and pleasure.
There are a couple themes at work here; journeys through the mind, heart, and soul are explored on songs like “So I Could Find My Way,” “Even in the Shadows,” “Echoes in Rain,” and “I Could Never Say Goodbye.” But then there’s the theme of celestial locales and the beauty of the human spirit, like “The Humming…,” “The Forge of the Angels,” “Dark Sky Island,” “Sancta Maria,” “Astra et Luna,” and “The Loxian Gate.”
Roma Ryan’s concept of Loxian, her fictional language, essentially comes from her hippie-dippie approach to telling the story of the Loxians, future descendants of the Celts who leave Earth and pass the red star Aldebaran in search of a new home. “The Forge of the Angels” tells of this journey in brief but beautiful Loxian script.
Sometimes I’ve listened to this album at the gym or work and have started choking up big time. “So I Could Find My Way” is about Roma Ryan’s mother, if I remember correctly, and that song hits me in the heart because it’s all about a parents’ love to their child and all they’ve prepared them for in life. “I Could Never Say Goodbye” is in a similar vein. Both songs are tearjerkers for me and I should probably only play them when I cut onions from now on.
In Summary: Sancta Maria is one of the most gorgeous pieces of music I’ve ever heard. If you want peace, you got it – Enya’s signature rise-and-fall, ebb-and-flow rhythmic patterns and waltz time are all over this album, as they usually are. But there’s a sophistication to this album, a polish and sparkling beauty to it that isn’t quite so perceivable on her older albums. Ironically there is almost no hint of darkness on this album, save for the brief ominous nature of “The Humming…” – after that, it’s heavenly light and the warm embrace of someone who just wants you to feel comfortable and at ease. Enya isn’t for everyone but for me she’s just the best. It never overstays its welcome either; at under 45 minutes it is easy to play the whole record front to back in one sitting. I listen to this record all the time and it’s so wonderful to hear when you just want the stress of the day to go away.
Katt’s Favorites: So I Could Find My Way (music video),
Even in the Shadows (Live at Good Day New York),
The Forge of the Angels,
Echoes in Rain (music video),
Sancta MariaListen to “Dark Sky Island” by Enya on Spotify