Aerialists - I Lost My Heart on Friday

Aerialists are Elise Bouer (fiddle), Mairi Chaimbeul (harp, piano, Fender Rhodes, organ and tube synth bass), Adam Iredale-Gray (electric and acoustic guitar) Steven Foster (drums and percussion) and Robert Alan Mackie (upright and electric bass) 1; a young and enticing collective that effortlessly blends many different sounds and genres. This neo-trad band’s third album I Lost My Heart on Friday showcases their instrumental and arrangement skills at an unprecedented level.

Energy is probably the word that best summarises this highly anticipated release. From the sparkling title track to the very technical rendition of Northumbrian classic Lads of Alnwick, from the epic Scandinavian tune Gammel Steinomen to the reels of The Shoemaker’s Daughter Set that closes the album, this work is infused with the passion these five artists display in their acclaimed performances.

Old instruments like the fiddle and the harp interweave their voices with sounds more commonly found in rock music; but the strong presence of electric guitars, synth or upright bass does not take away the attention from the definitely traditional tunes they gathered alongside some original ones. A special mention goes to The Birds, the only slightly quieter passage in the album, a track that provides a perfect bridge to the second half of the album and that features guest star Brighde Chaimbeul on Scottish Smallpipes.

If you like a modern and fresh approach to folk music and multi-layered arrangements, I Lost My Heart on Friday will surely be the perfect choice. Highly recommended for open-minded folk fans around the globe.