Artist: Enya Album: Shepherd Moons

Year: 1991
Duration: 0:0-1

The Majestic Journey of Enya's Shepherd Moons Album: A Critical Review

The soft and enchanting music of Enya has blessed our ears for more than three decades. Known for her harmonious melodies and ethereal voice, Enya's music genre is described as New Age or Celtic music. Her fourth studio album, the Shepherd Moons, was released in 1991 and paved the way for her international success. In this blog post, we'll take a close look at this album, explore the history of Enya and her music, highlight the best songs, and provide a critical review of the album.

Enya, formerly known as Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin, was born in Donegal, Ireland, and brought up in a musical family. She began her career as one-third of the band Clannad with her siblings, but soon set out to create her own distinct sound. After signing with Warner Bros Records, her eponymous debut album was released in 1987, which showcased her unique style of using multi-layered vocals and synthesized sounds.

Her fourth studio album, Shepherd Moons, was released four years later and was an instant hit. The album features 12 tracks, each with harmonious melodies that transport the listener to another world. Enya's clever use of choir-esque vocals, instrumentals, and eclectic rhythms make the album stand out within its genre.

The album's best songs include Caribbean Blue, a track that highlights Enya's exploration of different music styles, Shepherd Moons, a serene instrumental track that is an ode to nature's beauty, and How Can I Keep From Singing, a poem set to music that speaks of hope and resilience amidst dark times. The album's unique combination of natural and synthesized sounds creates an atmosphere that is both uplifting and calming to the soul.

The most innovative part of the album is the way Enya creates a soundscape that paints vivid mental pictures of the scenes she is singing about. This is evident in No Holly For Miss Quinn, where the use of different instruments and sounds helps to create a festive and celebratory mood. Similarly, the use of flutes and piano in Ebudæ paints a beautiful yet eerie picture of the landscape of the Hebrides.

While Shepherd Moons is an album worth listening to, it is not without flaws. The synthetic choruses and reliance on layered vocals may not appeal to all listeners, and some of the tracks can be seen as lacking in a distinct melody. Despite this, Shepherd Moons remains a masterfully crafted piece of art and an impressive addition to Enya's discography.

Enya's Shepherd Moons showcases the power of music to soothe and transport the listener to another world. Her blend of new age and Celtic music creates a unique sound that has remained timeless over the years. Although the album may not appeal to every listener, it remains a masterpiece that deserves recognition. The combination of harmonious melodies, layered vocals, and use of natural and synthesized sounds make Shepherd Moons an album that listeners should experience at least once in their lifetime.