Chordblossom
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
    • Music Reviews
    • Live Reviews
  • Features
    • Articles
    • Festivals
    • Fresh NI Music
    • Interviews
    • Introducing
    • Win
  • Media
    • Playlists
    • Photosets
    • Podcast
    • Sessions
    • Transmission
    • TV
  • Kickstart
  • Chordblossom Gigs
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • Mailing List
    • Vacancies
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
    • Music Reviews
    • Live Reviews
  • Features
    • Articles
    • Festivals
    • Fresh NI Music
    • Interviews
    • Introducing
    • Win
  • Media
    • Playlists
    • Photosets
    • Podcast
    • Sessions
    • Transmission
    • TV
  • Kickstart
  • Chordblossom Gigs
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • Mailing List
    • Vacancies
No Result
View All Result
Chordblossom
No Result
View All Result

Joshua Burnside – Ephrata

Aaron Cunningham by Aaron Cunningham
May 29, 2017
in Music Reviews
Creative Belfast Presents Output

joshua burnside ephrata

The path of the odd single, an EP or two and then the inevitable anticipation for the debut album is a well worn one. Any potential and promise can soon be found out with the bigger canvas of a full length release. For the truly prolific songwriter, the album is something to be relished not feared. Step forward Joshua Burnside and his debut album, ‘Ephrata‘.

The Co. Down songwriter put out his last EP back in 2013, but the likes of ‘Black Dog Sin’ still reverberate around the Northern Irish scene, received and sung back with gusto at many a gig. Catch any Burnside live show in the past few years and you’ll have a noticed a string of new material. Joshua Burnside and the album format were sure to go hand in hand.

‘Ephrata’ draws inspiration from a wide pool of sources, both musical and lyrical, with Burnside fully embracing the increased scope and possibilities of the album format. On ‘Ephrata’, named after a small town in Pennsylvania, Burnside has taken his music miles away from his hometown of Comber. Inspired time spent travelling in Colombia permeated his recording process, with South American influences.

Even in the space of the first three or four tracks, Burnside covers considerable musical ground. ‘Blood Drive’ features Burnside’s typically intricate finger picking. One of the quieter tracks, its softer nature has hints of Bon Iver in its modulating vocal backing. Its simple refrain and soothing nature is a gentle opener but Burnside throws that atmosphere out the window on next track ‘Tunnels Pt. 2’. It’s a real jolt of electricity. The track’s pushing beat and urgent guitars are big enough but in true Joshua Burnside fashion there’s far more to it. The song’s first two minutes build into a whir of backing vocals, organs and brass amidst the theme of biology and technology. The latter half slows down in tempo but rises to a closing crescendo.

The talented Alana Henderson makes a number of appearances, most notably on ‘Holllogram’, a gorgeous duet of past love with the pair’s voices entwining beautifully on one of the album’s memorable lyrics. “I don’t care what they say, if I have to dance alone I will”.

One thing that has remained a constant in Joshua Burnside’s songwriting is his ability to weave a good story. ’26th Street’ tells the story of the murder of Colombian activist Jaime Garzón while slow burning closer ‘The Good Word’ sees a professor consider religion to a chorus of “glory hallelujah”.

Title track ‘Ephrata’ is a vivid account of a night spent in the Pennsylvania town whence the album came. A night spent in unfamiliar surroundings as the local market burns down produces one of the stand-out moments on the album, and is a shining example of the album’s incredible production. Sampled sounds, trumpets, strings, keyboards, diverse percussion; you name it. The diversity in instrumentation is a constant thread throughout ‘Ephrata’, allowing Burnside to truly explore his experimental folk sound and bring in his plethora of influences.

‘Ephrata’ is by far Joshua Burnside’s most ambitious release yet. It is equal parts dynamic and wide ranging in scope but stands as a complete and focused work. There’s scarcely a weak track here and amongst the highlights are songs that will merit a play for years to come. The end result is a triumph for the deservedly heralded Northern Irish songwriter.

Leave a Comment ⁞

Tags: Aaron CunninghamEPHRATAJoshua Burnside
ShareTweetShareShareSendSend
Previous Post

Women’s Work – 25th May 2017

Next Post

Influences Mixtape: Lauren Bird

Related Posts

Watch: SORBET – I Heard His Scythe
Fresh Northern Irish Music

Watch: SORBET – I Heard His Scythe

April 16, 2021
Northern Irish Songs of the Year 2020
Blogs

Northern Irish Songs of the Year 2020: 25 – 1

January 5, 2021

Comments 1

  1. Pingback: Joshua Burnside Wins Northern Ireland Music Prize 2017 - Chordblossom

Recent Posts

Burning Codes

Watch: Burning Codes – Art

April 19, 2021
Watch: SORBET – I Heard His Scythe

Watch: SORBET – I Heard His Scythe

April 16, 2021
Stream: Susi Pagel – Falling In Again

Stream: Susi Pagel – Falling In Again

April 14, 2021

Twitter

Instagram

Follow

  • Interview - New Pagans 

"Supporting local is the way forward. We want venues that are locally run, supporting local bands, but bringing big bands in too. I’m very optimistic, I think it’s going to be wonderful when it all opens up.”

We spoke to New Pagans’ Lyndsey McDougall about the band’s debut album, politics and motherhood in music, and the pandemic.

Link in bio.
  • Interview -  Sam Wickens

"It was just real blatant struggles that I was going through. then whenever I kind of came out of the other side of stuff, I just felt I kind of want people to hear this".
Wickens explains the inspiration behind his new EP, Watson.

Link in bio. 
@sam.wickens.music

Spotify Playlist

Fresh Music From Northern Ireland

Mailing List

  • About Chordblossom
  • Kickstart
  • Music Reviews
  • Live Reviews
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Photos
  • Fresh Music From Northern Ireland Playlist
  • Chordblossom Gigs
  • Mailing List

© 2020 Chordblossom

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
    • Music Reviews
    • Live Reviews
  • Features
    • Articles
    • Festivals
    • Fresh NI Music
    • Interviews
    • Introducing
    • Win
  • Media
    • Playlists
    • Photosets
    • Podcast
    • Sessions
    • Transmission
    • TV
  • Kickstart
  • Chordblossom Gigs
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • Mailing List
    • Vacancies

© 2020 Chordblossom

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT