Album Review: Paddy Dennehy - Little Light

Paddy Dennehy introduces himself to the world with gritty, soul-baring debut record Little Light. He masters both the highs and lows of indie folk, evoking powerful emotion with his gravelly voice, whether it’s accompanied by nothing but a piano or amped up with squealing guitars and powerhouse drums. Driven by personal reflection and stories of those around him, Dennehy brushes on love, loneliness and religion in a powerful sonic journey, full of heart-wrenching climaxes.

The record begins on an incredibly energetic high with title track ‘Little Light’, Dennehy’s voice trembling with fervor as he steps out of his own experience to paint pictures of tragedy and loss. Poignant lyrics like “Look at all them blood-tipped needles, just like poppies in a field,” evoke almost disturbingly vivid images. His words are carefully chosen, leaning on the concept of “show, don’t tell” to express emotions and narratives in a way that traverses the clichés of folk.

Gospel arrangements on ‘Hard Times’ are a clever complement to the biblical themes throughout, though ‘Abednego’ is the most overt religious reference. Biblical salvation is paired with passionate love, emphasizing the feverous power of deep, human connection. Though not entirely the focus, love runs deeply through Little Light as a connective thread. It’s used as a vessel for self-reflection, such as striking closer ‘One Good Reason’. It’s a heartbreaking, poignant song about desperation and self-deprecation, with Dennehy sounding like he’s reaching his breaking point as he recounts failures and ultimately belts in a moment of defeat, “Give me one good reason to give a fuck”. He's talented at creating emotion with nothing but sound -- one doesn't need to hear what he's singing to hear him pouring his heart out.

Little Light is a captivating, heart-wrenching showcase of how powerful folk music can be. It’s earnest and personal, a record that takes the listener on the same emotional journey as Dennehy himself.

Out Now.