Kila

When people talk about world music, it conjures up fearsome images of beardy, trainspotterish types playing noodly instrumentals with no semblance of melody or appeal. It’s not a genre I know much about, pardon my ignorance, so I picked up this album with a sense of trepidation.

I was pleasantly surprised by a beautiful album, weaving together a mix of Irish and Eastern European Ainu music, with a host of instruments played with a tangible level of accomplishment. The album was nominated for the Choice Music Prize – the top 10 albums release by Irish artists during the year.

Album opener Leath Ina Dhiaidh A Hocht is a catchy highlight driven along by mandolins and fiddles. Duisigi is another favourite, with a real Spanish flavour.

The album has been described as folk music for people who don’t really like folk, so if you’re looking for something different, abandon your preconceptions and get involved.