Laura Cannell's latest album 'Brightly Shone the Moon' is a poignant exploration of the complexities of the Christmas season. The veteran folk musician weaves together traditional melodies with personal narratives, creating a rich tapestry of sound that reflects on the fragility of joy and heartache intertwined.
Cannell begins her journey at the organ, recalling childhood Christmases in Methodist chapels and churches in Norfolk. Her fiddle then dances around the 16th-century folk melody of 'O Christmas Tree/O Tannenbaum', evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing. In 'All Ye Faithful', love is frozen in time, its repetition mirroring the suffocating feeling that can accompany the winter months.
However, Cannell's music also finds moments of beauty and resilience. The melodies of 'Lost in a Merry Christmas' flutter around each other like snowflakes, melting into the air as they go. 'Bleak Midwinter' has an icy urgency to it, replacing melancholy with a tentative kind of hope, while 'Angels Falling from the Realms' bursts forth with warm, flickering light.
This album is not for those seeking festive frivolity or surface-level cheer; instead, it's a hauntingly intimate exploration of time and memory. The traditional songs are woven together like Christingles, guiding us through the passing of seasons and the fragility of human connection.
Cannell begins her journey at the organ, recalling childhood Christmases in Methodist chapels and churches in Norfolk. Her fiddle then dances around the 16th-century folk melody of 'O Christmas Tree/O Tannenbaum', evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing. In 'All Ye Faithful', love is frozen in time, its repetition mirroring the suffocating feeling that can accompany the winter months.
However, Cannell's music also finds moments of beauty and resilience. The melodies of 'Lost in a Merry Christmas' flutter around each other like snowflakes, melting into the air as they go. 'Bleak Midwinter' has an icy urgency to it, replacing melancholy with a tentative kind of hope, while 'Angels Falling from the Realms' bursts forth with warm, flickering light.
This album is not for those seeking festive frivolity or surface-level cheer; instead, it's a hauntingly intimate exploration of time and memory. The traditional songs are woven together like Christingles, guiding us through the passing of seasons and the fragility of human connection.
. I mean, think about it - she's talking about Christmas, but not just the happy stuff. She's getting into the darker side of the season too, like all that melancholy and heartache. And what if I told you this isn't just about Christmas? What if it's about something bigger? Like, have you noticed how people are always trying to sell us something during the holidays? But Cannell's not doing that. She's not peddling some fake cheer or a new gadget. She's tapping into something real... something true. And what she's saying is that the Christmas season can be a time of both beauty and pain, but it's how we choose to see it. It's like she's saying, "Hey, don't just take the surface-level stuff. Look deeper." And I'm like, "Okay, Laura Cannell, you're speaking my language now!" 
u know? nowadays everythin is so polished and commercialized lol what happened to the good ol days when people just sang from the heart? 
... it's so relatable to feel those feelings of nostalgia and longing during the holiday season. But what I appreciate most about this album is how she balances those darker emotions with moments of hope and resilience 
. It's not an easy listen, but in a good way - like when you're having a tough day and someone just whispers 'you're not alone' in your ear... that's what Cannell does here 
... has anyone else listened to this album?
...I mean, who says it's all about being merry and bright? 
Laura Cannell's music feels so deeply personal and emotional, like she's sharing secrets with us 
. The way she weaves together these traditional melodies and stories is like creating a tapestry, each thread representing a moment in time 
. I love how 'Lost in a Merry Christmas' makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside 
! Overall, it's this hauntingly intimate exploration of human connection that really resonates with me 
Laura Cannell's new album is just too emotional for me to handle! It feels like she's speaking directly to my soul, you know? The way she weaves together those traditional melodies with her personal stories is just heartbreaking 
'All Ye Faithful' gives me all the feels every single time I listen to it. And don't even get me started on 'Bleak Midwinter' - that song is like a warm hug from an old friend 
️. But what really gets me is how she balances those darker moments with this tentative, flickering hope 
. It's like she's saying, "Hey, we can get through the hard times because we have each other." I need to go listen to this album again... and again... and again 
️. I mean, come on, it's Christmas music! It's supposed to be catchy and fun, not some sob fest about the complexities of the holiday season 
. And what's with all the depressing songs? Can't we just have one upbeat track that doesn't feel like it's gonna put me in a bad mood for days? 
i mean dont get me wrong laura cannell is talented but we need somethin new for once like maybe some eminem or rihanna to keep us lit 
and i love how she weaves traditional melodies into personal narratives - its like a warm hug for your soul 
. I mean, who hasn't felt stuck or down during the holiday season? Her music is all about capturing those bittersweet moments when joy & heartache kinda get tangled up together 
. It's beautiful how she takes these traditional melodies and gives 'em a personal spin, makes them feel like memories from her own childhood 
! Anyway, if you're looking for an album that's gonna make you think about what it means to be human during this time of year, then Laura Cannell's got you covered 
it's like she's taking you on a journey through all the feels - nostalgia, longing, hope...it's so beautifully raw! 
i'm totally here for that 'O Christmas Tree/O Tannenbaum' bit 
like when you're stuck in a winter wonderland but your heart is frozen 
can't wait to give this album a proper spin #LauraCannell #BrightlyShoneTheMoon #FolkMusicForever
Anyways, if you're looking for an album that'll make you feel all the feels, 'Brightly Shone the Moon' is definitely worth checking out 
. it's not like she's the only one doin this kinda thing, but i guess her take on it is just more... nuanced 
. Can't we just have a simple playlist to share new music? I mean, do we really need to write entire reviews like that? It's just too much info 
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. It's all very nostalgic and melancholic, like she's trying to make me feel all the feels while sipping on some warm tea by the fireplace 
. And can we talk about the title track "Brightly Shone the Moon"? It gives me all the feels! I'm not usually one for super sappy music, but this album is like a breath of fresh air - it's like she's stripping away all the festive clutter and just letting us feel whatever emotions are real. 
Laura Cannell's 'Brightly Shone the Moon' is giving me all the feels... in a really bittersweet way. I mean, who doesn't love a good nostalgic vibe? But seriously, this album is like sipping hot cocoa by the fireplace – it's cozy, but also kinda melancholy 
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. I love how she uses traditional melodies to tell these poignant stories about love, loss, and hope 
. Her album is a reminder that memories are what make life rich