Cian Nugent marks fine new album with free Róisín gig

‘Highly recommended’ and ‘free’ are not words you always hear together these days, but they can be applied to Cian Nugent’s gig in Róisín Dubh next Thursday, June 29.

Night Fiction is Nugent’s third album but – remarkably – it’s his first release as a songwriter.  His previous two albums consisted of guitar-based instrumentals that merit listening to, but if it’s quality tunes you’re after, then Night Fiction is the place to start.

The opening three tracks draw the listener in. First Run is sublime, bringing to mind American songwriter M. Ward. Shadows is an eight-minute opus that recalls Lou Reed – not a surprise, given that Nugent’s biography cites The Velvet Underground as an influence.  There are welcome, subtle additions of brass as the track builds.

The rolling acoustic guitar of Lucy shows that Nugent has listened to, but not lifted from, Richard Thompson. Night Fiction is really worth a listen – it’s a record that deserves to be heard.  Seek it out on Bandcamp and Spotify. It was recorded in Dublin’s Bow Lane Studios, with Daniel Fox, who is a member of the critically lauded Girl Band. Fox certainly has a knack for letting Nugent’s songs breathe, while bringing out a lush quality that has a 1960s/70s feel to it.

Doors for Cian Nugent’s show are 9pm, and admission is free.