Since the inception of Belfast based singer songwriter Michael Cullagh’s alter ego – Meb Jon Sol – we’ve enjoyed the live experience, with their revolving door policy on players, and Two singles. So it should come as no surprise that we were more than a bit excited about his recently released album Southpaw Niños.
The album includes the singles Captain of This Ship – a rip roaring party starting sea shanty of a song that feels like every copy should come with an arran jumper and an anchor. The recently released Leave All Your Troubles With Me follows the same theme, but with a more trad-country feel as banjo and harmonica take centre stage. McCullagh’s voice may not be his strong point technically but it oozes character and suits the style of the album perfectly, singing with his accent and adding to the ‘story teller’ effect that the album has.
Songs like ‘Angie, Where Did Your Love Go?’ may take the tempo down a notch, but they feel heartfelt and, dare I say, weather beaten, like he’s sung this song a million times before and has retained the raw emotion every time. Get your lighters out folks this one is tear jerker. Not Young Anymore and I Am Yours are reflective and although suggest self-deprecating affairs actually are marvellously uplifting and self-affirming, I Am Yours particularly bringing in a touch of carnival-esque (think The Tiger Lillies) atmosphere that sets it apart from other tracks. There’s a sense of coming to terms with life that makes our time in Mick’s company both welcome and enjoyable.
The album has eight songs which mightn’t be a lot for an album, even by Linkin Park standards, but all 8 songs could be singles in their own right. The quality is there in spades and although at least six of these are new to me, they feel like old friends that I haven’t seen in a while. ‘I Am From Nowhere’ brings in some delightful ‘Oh Brother Where Art Thou’ style harmonies mixed with a rock n roll “HEY” background that has to be heard to be fully appreciated. The kind of track that shouldn’t work but really, really does. The eponymous track, Southpaw Niños recalls tales of travels and lost love, with some crazily fast finger work and a sing along “la la la” chorus to really get stuck into.
It would be hard to review an album like Southpaw Niños without mentioning the obvious Mumford and Sons comparison, but here it feels that it would be selling this little collection short. Perhaps if you think of Mumford & Sons on a nautical adventure it might be a good way to introduce this album, but after a listen you’ll find that this has a life all of it’s own and it’s doesn’t really need the comparisons. Over all this is a wonderfully accomplished début album for any artist and one that I’ll easily be reommending.
The Album is out to stream now on Spotify ABOVE or download from all the usual places. There is an album launch on the 22nd in Voodoo where you can get your hands on a physical copy too. All the details are right here.
