On 13 March Maz O’Connor released her latest album – Love It Is A Killing Thing – a collection of reimagined and recomposed old folk songs.
The collection of nine songs, with a common theme illustrated by the title, provide a beautiful texture of archetypal folk sounds with a more modern twist. Whilst the songs are based on classics that crossed the Atlantic to Appalachia and returned, O’Connor’s take on them adds a feminist lilt that the originals would likely have been missing.
Whilst some of the songs may be familiar to some, they are all new to this reviewer, and – after many listens – are now providing multiple earworms.
The opening track, Once I Had A Sweetheart, is an introduction to the classic folk nature of the album that hits you straight away. The acoustic guitar and banjo mix beautifully with O’Connor’s vocals to create something that still sounds like it could have been heard by Cecil Sharp.
The second song, A Man Like You – with primarily O’Connor-penned lyrics – contains some gorgeous harmonies, and a great repeated line which I strongly suspect will be sung by many an audience in the coming year. It’s definitely up there with my favourites from this album, and from O’Connor generally. One of those songs that feels too short, so you have to stick it on repeat.
Hares on the Mountain is the third song, and the one that is most obvious in its modern take, with the sexes flipped in this version’s lyrics. It is a lovely tune, with its comparison of women to the prey for male hunters. The use of fiddle on this track helps elevate it.
Jenny Put the Kettle On tells of a woman in love with one man but being forced to marry another by her father. The tune, the banjo, and the beauty of O’Connor’s voice make this song stick with you long after the last note.
Let No Man Steal Your Thyme is a softer song – just O’Connor’s voice with acoustic guitar accompaniment. The song is full of allegory and sits well within the album.
Silver Dagger is possibly my favourite song here – the mix of acoustic guitar, banjo and O’Connor’s voice provide a beautiful sound which, mixed with the lyrics about choosing to stay unmarried rather than trust a man with your heart/to be faithful, create a delightful song which will stay with you.
The Counting Song – what’s not to love about this? The banjo? The time signature? The vocals? All are brilliant. An original composition amongst the older folk tunes – though you wouldn’t realise unless told.
I Am a Poor Girl. O’Connor’s vocals on this track are lovely, as are the harmonies, the fiddle and the guitar, but – even though it contains the album title in its lyrics – for some reason, this song gets lost on the album. I’m not sure if it’s because of the similar themes of those songs either side, but on too many occasions I don’t remember hearing it. Despite this, you should make sure you deliberately listen to it. You won’t regret it.
The last track – Come and I will Sing You – a pretty simple countdown song lyric-wise, but as with the rest of the album, the use of harmonies, acoustic guitar and fiddle provide you with a song that can be hard to shift from your head.
All in all, this album is a beautiful collection of reworked classic folk songs with great instrumentation which was impressively recorded straight to tape. The lyrical changes to the songs provide a great collection with a feminist tilt. Whilst O’Connor put together a collection of songs of heartbreak, there is a definite undertone of the heartbreak being caused by men. This album is the purest folk music O’Connor has released to date, but there is no reason that should put off existing fans.
Love it is a Killing Thing is out now.
Maz O’Connor will be playing London’s Crazy Coqs on 4th June.
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