Listening to the debut from this all female Canadian trio is a real treat - it's original and contemporary, yet evocative of music past; and the instrumentation and playing is relaxed, but closer listening reveals superbly constructed and musically detailed songs.
While the North American folk roots of this album are easy to spot, it's certainly not a folk purist's disc, while many of the artists from the neo-folk movement concentrate on darkness and despair in their songs, this album is notable for its lightness and upbeat outlook, and as a result is warm and easy to enjoy.
There are some wonderful vocal exchanges, harmonies and melodies from the trio, combined with excellent use of instrumentation - the arrangements of guitar, mandolin and banjo are backed up by fiddle, bass and drums on many tracks.
Despite the folk feel of the disc, only 3 of the songs are actually 'trad arr', the remaining 9 are all self written with the exception of a couple of covers.
'Blue Horse' is a warm and honest disc, that is easy to enjoy on many different levels, it's a great disc to dip in and out of and play a couple of songs, but also excellent to listen to as a complete and cohesive body of songs.
'Blue Horse' is a really strong album with broad appeal, but those who enjoy North American singer/songwriters, as well as traditional music will find much to interest them here. 

£12.99