{Awayland}

2013, Jan 14

Apple Spotify Bandcamp Indie Pop 89 Highly Rated Domino Recording Co Pitchfork 5.5/10 The Needle Drop 7/10 The Line of Best Fit 8/10 NME 3.5/5 The Independent 5/5 All Music 4/5 Clash 9/10 Mojo 4/5 The Observer 4/5 The Guardian 4/5 music OMH 4.5/5 The Irish Times 5/5 Uncut 8/10

Pitchfork 5.5/10 Fronted by the Irish troubadeur Conor O'Brien, Villagers start with humble folk and build outward with daunting orchestral arrangements and subtle electronics. The band's second album is filled with big ideas and sentiments.

The Line of Best Fit 8/10 An enduring record that warms the cockles in these frosty fledgling weeks of 2013.

Clash 9/10 ClashMusic: Read an album review of {Awayland} by Villagers. Led by Conor O’Brien it's the follow up to the Mercury-nominated and Ivor Novello Award winning debut album 'Becoming a Jackal'.

The Observer 4/5 Delicate folk meets electronica on Villagers' adventurous second album, writes <strong>Paul Mardles</strong>

The Guardian 4/5 Conor O'Brien delivers dazzling visual imagery and rollercoasting musical styles on his second Villagers album, writes <strong>Dave Simpson</strong>

The Irish Times 5/5 Awayland *****

Uncut 8/10 Conor O'Brien adds some weirdness to his songcraft...