On her third (independent) solo album, the Wexford-based Dubliner explores the mult-faceted nature of modern Irish life, tackling everything from the search for love to the Celtic Tiger and the destruction of the environment. You’ll already have heard the single, the cleverly titled, ‘Non Smoking Single Female’, her light-hearted take on internet dating. With a jaunty rhythm that recalls Van’s ‘Moondance’ as well as Meri Wilson’s novelty hit, ‘Telephone Man’, it’s a departure for McEvoy in that it’s a straight pop song, perfect for radio (if Wogan or Parkie get hold of it, she might even have a UK hit on her hands).
‘Quote I Love You Unquote’, written with The Beautiful South’s Dave Rotheray, is another typically wry look at modern relationships, as is ‘To Sweep Away A Fool’, a subtle warning to men to treat women with respect, while ‘Fields Of Dublin 4’ takes aim at Ireland’s cappuccino culture.
McEvoy’s not afraid to play around with arrangements, even if her stylistic about-turns take you by surprise. ‘Little Look’ a warning against complacency, features just her multi-tracked voice and a bass guitar, while ‘So Much Trouble’ has a reggae backbeat. ‘Three Nights In November’ - a poignant take on the brief rekindling of an old love - has an almost 80s synth-pop feel, and is followed by the rousing country fare of ‘Suffer So Well’ which in turn gives way to the 12-bar blues of ‘The Way You Wear Your Troubles’.
A definite highlight is her sparse, acoustic take on Marvin Gaye’s classic ‘Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)’. With just acoustic guitar and voice, the environmental message rings true, and McEvoy’s delivery is pitched at just the right level