Naragonia Quartet - Nehalennia (2025) [Hi-Res]

The Naragonia album, eagerly anticipated at the Shrewsbury Folk Festival, is the work of a Belgian group, primarily the duo of Toon Van Mierlo and Pascale Rubens, which sometimes expands to the Nehalennia quartet with Maarten Decombel and Luc Pilartz. Active for around 20 years, the group plays a diverse array of instruments, including accordions, violins, mandola, guitars, bagpipes, saxophone, and whistle. Their music is described as folk music rooted in tradition, yet infused with elements of a chamber consortium or modern chamber neofolk, marked by greater grace and delicacy compared to more abrasive British traditions.

The album's ten tracks, mostly written by Van Mierlo, showcase this variety. "Limosa" is a rhythmic piece featuring accordions and violin, incorporating a bodhran and a darker twist. The title track, "Nehalennia," is a mystic and minimalist piece dedicated to an ancient goddess, highlighted by the synchronized playing of two accordions. "Heppiestep" is a joyful dance tune led by Van Mierlo's bagpipes (doedelzak). "The Mistle Thrush" combines recorded bird sounds with instrumental mimicry, featuring the rich tone of the bagpipes. "Yowjef" is a more angular, prog-acoustic composition with the added presence of Gregory Jolivet's hurdy gurdy. "We All Steal From Andy And We Love It?" is a merry, mischievous tune referencing the skill of Andy Cutting on the diatonic accordion. "Desman" is a fast-paced, impressive, and exhausting explosion of bagpipes and bodhran. The slower "Dr. Sue" is a delicate pastorale reminiscent of Focus. "Paddy's New Hair" is an invigorating rhythmic march with an Irish flavor. The album concludes with "Vanellus," a bucolic balfolk piece with a powerful bagpipe sound. The album is judged as excellent, demonstrating the group's strength across varied styles, suitable for both dancers and listeners.

Tracklist:
1-1 Naragonia Quartet;Naragonia - Limosa [3:51]
1-2 Naragonia Quartet;Naragonia - Nehalennia [3:39]
1-3 Naragonia Quartet;Naragonia - Heppiestep [4:01]
1-4 Naragonia Quartet;Naragonia - The Mistle Trush [4:20]
1-5 Naragonia Quartet;Naragonia - Yowjef [3:56]
1-6 Naragonia Quartet;Naragonia - We All Steal from Andy and We Love It [4:04]
1-7 Naragonia Quartet;Naragonia - Desman [2:48]
1-8 Naragonia Quartet;Naragonia - Dr. Sue [5:10]
1-9 Naragonia Quartet;Naragonia - Paddy's New Hair [3:25]
1-10 Naragonia Quartet;Naragonia - Vanellus [2:49]