Lorkin O’Reilly’s new album, Marriage Material, is as gentle as Earl Grey steam and as poignant as a box full of old diaries and love letters.
With a voice like a roughened whisper, O’Reilly, an upstate New York-dwelling Scottish singer-songwriter, weaves poetic lines that reveal the inner turmoil and tiny epiphanies of familial connections and falling in—and—out of love. Despite its hushed and relaxed sound, this album has a stark rawness to it, with O’Reilly bearing his soul as honestly and openly as possible.
Musically, the record is as calm as a cool autumn breeze, complete with soft acoustic fingerpicking and atmospheric piano. When combined with his breathy vocals, it’s hard for this music to not remind one of artists like James Yorkston and Alastair Galbraith. Yet, O’Reilly’s personal lyrics—which are packed with extremely intimate and evocative details—are what sets his songs apart from the work of his contemporaries and predecessors.
Each line features vibrant images that could have only come from real life, offering a candid glimpse into the artist’s memories, both the good and the bad. Moments like the sight of cacti growing in a lover’s window sill, or the speaker listening to Townes Van Zandt in his partner’s truck while he has his hand up a different girl’s dress. You’ll be hard pressed to find lyrics that feel this genuine, while balancing both romance and regret.
A tender and cathartic listen from start to finish, Lorkin O’Reilly’s Marriage Material is a superb LP for anyone who has a strong appreciation for Iron & Wine, Alexi Murdoch or Bonnie “Prince” Billy. Click here to preorder this album ahead of its Friday release.
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