Laura Cannell: Brightly Shone the Moon review | Jude Rogers' folk album of the month

Laura Cannell's Latest Album, Brightly Shone the Moon, Explores the Complexities of Winter

Laura Cannell's folk album, Brightly Shone the Moon, is a nuanced exploration of the winter season, where joy and heartache exist in a delicate balance. Drawing from her childhood Christmases in Norfolk Methodist chapels and churches, Cannell sets out on her most introspective journey yet.

The album begins with the organ, reminiscent of Cannell's formative years, which gives way to the 16th-century folk melody of O Christmas Tree/O Tannenbaum. The fiddle quivers around this classic tune, conjuring images of a snowglobe swirling in memory. However, the repetition of All Ye Faithful takes on a new tone, as Cannell delves into the complexities of love and longing during winter.

Beauty emerges elsewhere in the album, with tracks like Lost in a Merry Christmas showcasing high melodies that flutter and melt together in the air. Bleak Midwinter presents an urgent, icy rush, replacing melancholy with a sense of hope, while Angels Falling from the Realms is a warm and haunting tribute to long-forgotten hymns.

This is not a festive album for parties or tree decorations; it's one that carries you through the passage of time, with Christingles lighting the way like sparks of ancient songs. Cannell's work is an honest portrayal of winter's struggles and contradictions, weaving together old traditions with modern sensibilities to create something both timeless and contemporary.

In addition to Brightly Shone the Moon, several other releases this month are worth exploring. Anna Pidgorna's Invented Folksongs showcases her unique blend of traditional Ukrainian music and avant-garde style, while Michael Winograd's Plays Tanz! brings traditional klezmer to a spirited live performance. Winter Wonderband's Joy Illimited is a mixed grab-bag of festive tunes, featuring Jennifer Crook, Maclaine Colston, Saul Rose, and Beth Porter among others.

Laura Cannell's new album is like stepping into a cozy cabin on a snowy day - it's warm, intimate, and feels like home . The way she balances joy and heartache is so refreshing, it's like the snowflakes are gently falling on your skin . Don't be surprised if you find yourself lost in the melancholy of "Angels Falling from the Realms" - it's like a warm hug for your soul . If you're looking for something new to add to your winter playlist, give Brightly Shone the Moon a spin

Ugh, have you seen the layout on this forum lately? it's like they're trying to make us read through a novel about Laura Cannell's album instead of just giving us the gist in the first place... I mean, I get it, Brightly Shone the Moon is a great album and all, but can't we just have a summary or something?

Anyway, back to the music. So, I've been listening to Brightly Shone the Moon and I gotta say, Laura Cannell's songwriting skills are top notch. The way she weaves together traditional folk melodies with modern sensibilities is really inspiring. And that fiddle quivering around O Christmas Tree/O Tannenbaum? Give me all the feels!

But what really stood out to me was how the album tackles the complexities of winter and love in a super nuanced way. It's not just some sappy holiday album, it's like Cannell is having a deep conversation with us about the human experience.

Still, can we get back to the forum for a sec? I'm seriously considering switching to Discord if they don't clean up this layout...

omg u guys laura cannell's new album is literally the perfect winter vibes i'm OBSESSED with her fiddle skills and the way she weaves together old traditional songs with modern sensibilities it's like a warm hug on a cold day can't wait to listen to all of these other releases too anna pidgorna's got a unique sound that i need in my life michael winograd's live performances look AMAZING winter wonderband's got some fun festive tunes but let's be real brightshone the moon is where it's at

I'm loving the new album from Laura Cannell, Brightly Shone the Moon! It's so introspective and beautiful, like a snowglobe on repeat. I love how she takes these classic Christmas tunes and gives them this whole new vibe. And that Bleak Midwinter track? it's giving me all the winter feels. But what I think I'm really loving is how her music makes you feel like time is passing through you, like the Christingles are lighting up your path. It's so peaceful and emotive. Have you guys listened to this album yet?

Ugh, I'm still reeling from that last album drop of the year - Laura Cannell's Brightly Shone the Moon is literally giving me all the feels! I mean, who else can make a Christmas album feel so... complicated? Like, it's not just some cheesy holiday vibes, it's this nuanced exploration of love, loss, and nostalgia. The way she weaves together old traditions with modern sensibilities is pure magic .

And let's talk about the production - that organ at the beginning gives me LIFE! It's like she's transported us back to her childhood Christmases in Norfolk Methodist chapels and churches... I'm getting chills thinking about it . But what really gets me is how she tackles the complexities of love and longing during winter. Like, we've all been there - feeling hopeful one minute, melancholy the next. And Cannell's just like, "Hey, let's explore this messy middle ground together."

Now, I'm not gonna lie, it's a bit of an emotional rollercoaster ... but in the best way possible. It's like she's holding up this mirror to winter, reflecting all its contradictions and struggles back at us. And you know what? It feels so true to life .

Anyway, I just had to rave about this album for a bit... have any of you guys listened to it yet? What are your thoughts on Brightly Shone the Moon?

I'm so down for Laura Cannell's new album ! I love how she explores the complexities of winter, you know? It's not all rainbows and unicorns like we expect from a Christmas album. She gets into the real emotions – heartache, longing... it's like she's singing directly to my soul . And I'm loving the way she blends old traditions with modern vibes, it feels so fresh and exciting . Plus, have you listened to Anna Pidgorna's Invented Folksongs? That Ukrainian music is giving me life!

OMG, I'm so over this winter vibe! Just kidding, kinda . Seriously though, Laura Cannell's new album is giving me ALL THE FEELS . I love how she explores the complexities of winter in such a nuanced way - it's like she's capturing the essence of cozy nights by the fire and frosty mornings in equal measure ️.

I'm obsessed with the fiddle parts, they're like a warm hug for my soul . And I'm loving how she's not afraid to experiment with traditional melodies - it's like she's brewing up a magical winter potion .

If you're anything like me, you'll be totally swept away by the melancholy of Bleak Midwinter and then suddenly lifted up by the hope and longing in Angels Falling from the Realms . Trust me, Brightly Shone the Moon is an album that will transport you to a different world - one where winter isn't just about hot chocolate and Netflix binges .

Defo check out Laura's discography if you haven't already - she's like the queen of wintery vibes . And while you're at it, give those other releases a spin too... Anna Pidgorna's Invented Folksongs is giving me major indie folk feels !

omg i'm so hyped for laura cannell's new album - the way she explores the complexities of winter is like she's speaking straight to my soul her use of traditional folk melodies alongside modern sensibilities is giving me all the feels! and can we talk about that track "angels falling from the realms"?! it's like she's conjuring up these ethereal, haunting vibes that just make me wanna snuggle up by a fireplace with a cuppa tea i'm also loving the diversity of the album - from the icy rush of "bleak midwinter" to the high-melody goodness of "lost in a merry christmas"... it's like she's taking us on this magical journey through the seasons

I'm all about that cozy winter vibe , you know? Laura Cannell's latest album is giving me LIFE . Like, she's not just singing festive tunes, she's diving into the emotional depths of the season. It's like, have you ever had a moment where joy and heartache are literally fighting for space in your chest? That's what Brightly Shone the Moon is all about . And I love how she weaves together old traditions with modern sensibilities – it's like she's speaking directly to my soul . Plus, the way she incorporates fiddle and organ into those classic melodies... magic . If you're looking for something that'll make you feel all the feels this winter, this album is your jam .

Ugh, I'm so over how music streaming platforms are always pushing the same festive crap at this time of year . Can't they just leave us alone for one minute? And don't even get me started on playlists that are literally just a bunch of Christmas songs mashed together with some random tracks thrown in. Like, what's the point of that? It's just noise. I swear, if I hear "Jingle Bell Rock" one more time this month, I'm going to lose it . And another thing, why do they always have to make these playlists so long? Can't they just give us a few decent tracks or something?

I'm not sure about this latest folk album craze ... I mean, don't get me wrong, Laura Cannell's Brightly Shone the Moon sounds like a really pretty and introspective album, but is it just a case of nostalgia for winter vibes? Like, we all love a good snow day or festive market, but do we really need an entire album about it? I'm also curious, what's up with all these winter-themed releases this month? Are people just trying to be cozy and festive in the midst of winter blues? I'll have to give them a listen, but I'm still on the fence about whether it's just another seasonal trend or something more.

You know how people always say "home is where the heart is" ? Like, your home is supposed to be this warm and cozy place that's full of love and memories... but what about when winter comes along and it feels like the whole world outside is cold and dark? Laura Cannell's album Brightly Shone the Moon is all about finding beauty in those kinds of places . It's not always easy, but she shows us that even in the midst of struggle, there can be this spark of hope and love that guides us through . For me, it's like... just because winter might feel bleak outside, doesn't mean you have to let it define how you feel inside . We've got to learn to find those sparks of beauty and hold onto them, no matter what .

Laura Cannell's album, right, it's like the snow outside - all pretty and delicate on the surface but then BAM, icy cold when you dig in . I mean, who needs Christmas cheer when you can have melancholy? And don't even get me started on the title... Brightly Shone the Moon, huh? Sounds like someone's trying too hard to be all poetic and stuff . Anyway, gotta admit, her music does sound kinda nice, all acoustic and folk-y. Maybe I'll give it a listen (if only to see if she can make me feel less nostalgic for Christmas Past)

I just love Laura Cannell's new album Brightly Shone the Moon it's like she's taking us on a journey through her own memories of Christmas at church as a kid. I can totally relate to that feeling of nostalgia and longing during winter. I've been listening to it nonstop since it came out! The way she weaves traditional melodies with modern sensibilities is genius And I'm loving the honesty in her portrayal of winter's complexities - it's not just about the joy and cheer, but also the struggles and contradictions. Have you checked out Anna Pidgorna's Invented Folksongs? It's a totally different vibe, but still super cool

winter can be so dark but laura cannell's album is like a warm candle on a cold night it's not all fluffy and merry, it's the kind of stuff that gets under your skin and stays there i love how she weaves together old traditions with modern vibes, it's like she's singing straight to my soul

I'm loving the new album by Laura Cannell ! She has such a beautiful way of capturing the ups and downs of winter - it's like she's bottling up all the emotions in that season into these gorgeous songs. I'm totally obsessed with Bleak Midwinter, there's something so hauntingly beautiful about it . And you know what really gets me? It's not just about Christmas or festive vibes, it's actually about exploring the complexities of love and longing during those cold winter months. It's like she's speaking straight to my soul . I'm definitely going to give Anna Pidgorna's Invented Folksongs a try too - traditional Ukrainian music meets avant-garde style sounds intriguing !

omg u gotta check out laura cannell's new album Brightly Shone the Moon its like her most introspective one yet! she explores the complexities of winter & how joy & heartache exist together in this delicate balance... the fiddle sounds so good on o christmas tree tho and i love how bleak midwinter brings an urgent, icy rush to it also the way she weaves old traditions with modern sensibilities is everything gotta add in her album to ur 2025 winter playlist stat

I'm low-key obsessed with Laura Cannell's new album Brightly Shone the Moon It's like she's bottling up all her winter feels and putting them into these hauntingly beautiful songs The way she weaves together old traditions with modern sensibilities is giving me life And I love how it's not your typical Christmas album, you know? It's more like a introspective journey through the complexities of love and heartache during the cold winter months The way her music makes me feel all the emotions at once is just... wow Definitely check out Brightly Shone the Moon if you're looking for something to get your cozy vibes on

ugh i'm so over christmas music this time of year is literally my least fave but i gotta give it to laura cannell's new album she's like a total winter wonderland in her own special way the way she weaves traditional folk melodies with more modern sensibilities is honestly genius and can we talk about how beautifully melancholic bleak midwinter is like i'm totally here for that but at the same time i'm still missing my grandma who used to make me listen to her old records all the time