The Lost Brothers find true form with superb fifth album

Having released Halfway Towards A Healing, one of the best folk albums of the year, The Lost Brothers play Monroe’s Live on Thursday, July 26.

The show is part of this year’s Arts Festival and will appeal to fans of artists like Ryan Adams, Richard Hawley and Nick Drake.

The Lost Brothers are Navan man Oisín Leech and Mark McCausland from Omagh, who were regulars on the Liverpool music scene of the early 2000s – they were involved in major label rock acts (respectively, The 747s and The Basement). Halfway Towards A Healing is the fifth album from the pair since they joined forces in 2008. Made in Tucson, Arizona, it was produced by Howie Gelb, who has garnered acclaim for his work with Giant Sand.

It’s a superb collection of songs with different rhythms and tones. Echoes in The Wind which opens the album is a winsome and stirring folk number while Come Tomorrow is a duet with a gentle, rolling rhythm. The duo have clearly honed their craft and learned from their major label experience in their previous bands. This is their finest collection to date and has a live feel to it that suggests they’ll be able to do it justice on stage.

The Lost Brothers have been receiving deserved rotation on John Creedon’s RTÉ radio show and are a worthy addition to any festival. Put this one in your GIAF diary.

Doors 8pm, tickets €20.