John Francis Flynn's New Album 'Look Over The Wall, See The Sky' Takes Flight
Lead single ‘Mole In The Ground’ blurs the lines between tradition and innovation.
Award-winning singer and multi-instrumentalist John Francis Flynn is back in the spotlight with exciting news about his forthcoming album Look Over The Wall, See The Sky set to be released on November 10th, 2023 via River Lea Recordings. The artist has also treated fans to a taste of what's to come with his new single 'Mole In The Ground' along with an accompanying video. Additionally, he has announced a series of tour dates across Ireland and the UK for 2023 and January 2024.
John Francis Flynn's musical journey revolves around traditional and folk material from Ireland, but his artistic vision extends beyond those boundaries. His latest single, 'Mole In The Ground' originally an American anti-establishment folk song, resonates with Flynn's experiences in Dublin during a period of upheaval caused by property developers and financial interests. Flynn's interpretation of the song captures the rebellious spirit he felt in Dublin during those turbulent times. He explains that the song's visceral language and anti-authoritarian message drew him in. In 'Mole In The Ground,' Flynn emphasises the lyrics by speaking them rather than singing, adding a unique dimension to the track.
The album's artwork hints at a modern perspective on Ireland, juxtaposing traditional imagery with contemporary realities. Flynn highlights the duality of Ireland, where folklore and giants coexist with tech giants like Google and Facebook, an affordable housing crisis, and skyrocketing rents. Look Over The Wall, See The Sky offers a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional Irish music, featuring contributions from fellow musicians in the traditional music scene and beyond. Flynn's unique approach to these songs creates an otherworldly and experimental folk sound that challenges traditional boundaries.
Listening to Look Over The Wall, See The Sky is like experiencing history through a modern lens while in a trance-like state. Flynn's musical influences range from esoteric contemporary tracks to the works of his contemporaries in the traditional music scene in Ireland. The album's unconventional use of instruments and jagged arrangements teeters on the edge of disharmony, creating a magnetic pull that draws listeners into its curious orbit.
Flynn masterfully deconstructs traditional songs, rearranging them with emotional force, sometimes leaving them unanchored, floating in a surreal space between the past and the present, analog and digital, love and tragedy. Look Over The Wall, See The Sky is not just an album of imagination; it's a reimagining of traditional Irish music and a hopeful vision of an Ireland that could exist 'over the wall': powerful, hopeful, and free.
