Short Reviews [Across The Sea - 2021 - "The Wayfarer Triptych"]

Released last year, the second album by singer Hannah Katy Lewis and guitarist Pete Ferguson (who is also responsible for the soundscapes) is a delight for anyone remotely interested in prog folk in the English tradition. The concept is a simple one, three pieces broken into three songs each, the triptych, with female vocals accompanied mostly by different acoustic instruments while there are sometimes banks of ambient sounds to give more depth. Although the concept is simple, what they have done with it is not, as the arrangements are hugely complex, and while Hannah may be singing solo, there are also plenty of times when she has built up multiple tracks, so it sounds more like a choir. She has a lovely clear, obviously trained, vocal style and while this music is not nearly in the same rock vein, I found myself being reminded somewhat of Legend and early Nightwish in what she is doing. Underneath, Pete ensures there is plenty of support to provide additional beauty without ever detracting away from the voice, sometimes strumming an acoustic while at others he will be gently picking. There is a huge sense of drama within, with the music swirling and building, and while the soundscapes are somewhat basic, they add gravitas and additional support. The album sounds huge, and certainly not what one would expect from a young self-produced outfit, and the result is something I have enjoyed immensely. My only real niggle is that Hannah is much happier at the higher end of her range and when she drops too low she is not as confident and the vocals suffer as a result, but when she is quickly moving between notes in the higher range, she is like the Welcome Swallows we have flying around our house and barn, twisting and turning, darting and sharp or beautiful and sustained.