Tricia Collins - “In the Light of the Moon”

Photo by Josephine Binder

If you’re in the mood for some authentic, stripped-back folk music, look no further than Ireland-based artist Tricia Collins and the warm, heartfelt sounds of her debut single, “In the Light of the Moon.”

The song opens with a delightful duet of acoustic guitar and banjo, allowing listeners to close their eyes and imagine a rural setting, hanging with Collins and crew on the front porch of some agrestic farmhouse. Musically, it bears some resemblance to the work of Gregory Alan Isakov, gentle and kindhearted as it plays into the sunset, coaxing the rise of the moon.

Collins’ vocal begins, raw and honest as it delivers a breezy melody that guides us along an “intimate journey of accepting a dissipating love.” We are simultaneously picking up a few remnants akin to Watchhouse and the more stripped-back work of Maggie Rogers, but Collins’ talent is immediately apparent, as it remains unscathed by any digital tomfoolery.

Some soft percussion and round bass appear along the way, adding width to the arrangement and keeping our interest piqued. Additional layers of vocals soon follow, providing a remarkable harmony that we could not resist, even if we tried. And upon the arrival of the violin, “In the Light of the Moon” offers listeners a superb offering to the genre of folk music.

-HD