Conor Walsh: The Lucid review – A sparkling posthumous collection

Minimal Mayo musician and electro-acoustic composer Colm Walsh supported Hozier on his 2013 tour, before the Wicklow man became the blockbuster name he is today.

Walsh died suddenly at the tragically tender age of 36. His sister acquired his laptop, and the gradual process of compiling these remarkable compositions began. The release of these recordings assures him some kind of immortality, following Cork ambient and electronic pop producer Talos sampling his track The Front on his recent album.

Beautifully put together by his friend Enda Bates, who produced The Front EP, there is absolutely nothing random about The Lucid. It all hangs together as a sparkling collection of piano-based gems played in Walsh’s rich and unique style.

The closing track An Fhuair owes some inspiration to pioneers such as Nils Frahm and Aphex Twin, where Conor weaves spellbinding piano melodies over electronics. The album will be launched this weekend with events at the Sugar Club, Dublin, and the Gateway Hotel, Swinford.

The release of The Lucid is a victory for his music and a partial triumph over death itself.