lonSophomore album ‘Same Cloth or Not’ is sure to cement Lisa O’Neill as a formidable force on the ever emerging singer songwriter scene. O’Neill is separated by uniqueness in both her voice and ability to construe a story. Produced by David Kitt and engineered by Karl Oldum, lyrically she has ripened from debut ‘Has an Album’. Hailing from Cavan, its poetic tenderness amalgamates folk blues and her idiosyncratic voice culminating with an altogether more sound and assured musician.  ‘Same Cloth or Not’ is a continuous story weaving between laments of loss and love, nostalgia and the reality of rural Ireland. A captivating live force, her feisty personality at times is juxtaposed through ten tracks penned with a straight forward honesty, produced and arranged infallibly to utilise such talent.

England Has My Man is one of an array of songs which resonate, albeit this one immediately through title alone. The staunch reality of emigration, be it forced or not, is encapsulated with gentle guitar plucks declaring ‘England’s so lucky, I’m not sure that they know’. It is acoustic done superbly, a gentle opening developing a dark melancholy which echoes the song’s sentiment.

O’Neill’s voice is silky and smooth through Cowards Corner often with a harsh pronunciation of words. A slightly bluesy number, her voice delivers a deep and catchy chorus. Recorded in a rented cottage in Wicklow along with her band Stina Sandstorm (vocals) and Mossy Nolan (bouzouki) everything seems to blend together for the most effective impact. Prior to this release O’Neill was often segregated into a bracket of ‘acquired taste’. It seems those years have been kind towards her developing a more commanding ability in her lyrics and delivery.

O’Neills voice is the albums strongest instrument particularly evident on the albums final two songs Darkest Winter and Dreaming. The arrangements of both songs sit as a perfect underlay for her vocal capability to move and transform. There is an infectious wit and devilment brimming from O’Neill which translates through ‘Same Cloth or Not’.  As an album it brings you full circle. It has a skilful propensity to evoke thought, not restricted to a sole idea nor over-saturated with forlorn love songs, instead delving through life’s complexities song by song.