Arun Sood and Angeline Morrison's Donn/Dubh Review: British Folk 2026

Arun Sood and Angeline Morrison's Donn/Dubh review reveals a startling transformation of sacred histories, as these British folk giants merge 10th-century Gaelic cantos with modern distortion and dream-pop. The album, inspired by Saltair na Rann, expands the spectrum of northerly and westerly winds, creating a sonic tapestry that honors tradition while pushing folk into uncharted territory.

British Folk Giants Reimagine Ancient Texts

Morrison, co-founder of the Black British Folk Collective, has spent years bringing forgotten Black histories into the folk canon, notably on 2022's The Sorrow Songs. Sood's 2022 project Searching Erskine used sonic collage to evoke lives on his grandmother's abandoned island of Vallay. Together, their talents converge around Alastair Smith's startling production, where Morrison's deep voice shifts from ghostly to lullaby-warm, inhabiting soundworlds reminiscent of late-90s Boards of Canada and Unkle.

Genre-Blending Soundscapes

The album opens with A Rìbhinn a Bheil Cuimhn' Agad over softly played piano, anchoring the pair's giddy explorations. A 1952 recording of Sood's uncle psalm-singing on Òran Molaidh is buoyed by bowed cellos and synths, before Sood's rich Scottish voice speaks of a time "before God." Sweeter moments include Mo Nighean Donn As Bòidhche, rippling on shimmering electronics, and Teann A-nall Mo Chailin Donn, which sets a Uist love song against gauzy, Twin Peaks-worthy synthesiser walls.

Dark Turns and Folk Horror

The album's darker turns are equally powerful. Tha Mi Sgìth twists Sood's daughters' voices into Boards of Canada-adjacent folk horror, full of febrile layers that unpeel with every listen. This project demonstrates how traditional Gaelic texts can be recontextualized for modern audiences without losing their emotional core.

Comparison: Traditional vs. Reimagined Folk

Key Takeaways from the Album

• Morrison and Sood blend ancient Gaelic texts with modern post-rock and dream-pop.
• Production by Alastair Smith creates a haunting, cinematic atmosphere.
• Archival recordings, like Sood's uncle's psalm, add historical depth.
• The album balances gentle moments with darker, folk-horror textures.
• It expands the definition of British folk, honoring marginalized histories.

Why This Album Matters

Donn/Dubh is not just a musical achievement; it's a cultural intervention. By centering Black and Hebridean experiences within folk's sacred histories, Morrison and Sood challenge the genre's often-narrow canon. Their work invites listeners to reconsider who gets to tell these stories and how.

FAQ

In summary, Arun Sood and Angeline Morrison's Donn/Dubh is a landmark in British folk, offering a transformative listening experience that bridges ancient and modern, sacred and profane. As also noted in the original review, "this album's ambitions unpeel with every tantalising listen," making it a must-hear for adventurous music fans.

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