Iarla Ó LionáirdInvisible FieldsReview

From the first precise whisperings of "Gaelic" on track one,Invisible beguiles, mesmerises, surprises and sometimes stuns the listener. It's the sheer, unmitigated force of poetry that does it: Iarla Ó Lionáird's style of deliverymakes you feel you understand every word, even if Gaelic is not your native tongue.

But it's his voice too: it glides smoothly from some remote point, both haunting and alien, and then draws you into its tender embrace.

Lionáird's day job is providing the other-worldly vocals for Afro Celt Sound System. Invisible Fields finds him temporarily shelving the Afro and digging deep into the blood-and sweat-soaked soil of the Celtic tradition known as sean nós: an ornamented, intoned style of singing in Gaelic.

This album is an exploration of elemental states and emotions, of dreams, nature's patterns and birdsong, of family and the silt-like spirit of generations. But the lyrics are rooted in the politics and society of Lionáird's native Ireland, and a poet from his own village in West Cork, Sean Ó Riordáin, provided the words for the stirring, shamanic song "Aurora".

Perfectly balanced with the unique voice are lovely, rising, symphonic chord sequences played on synthesisers and piano, as well as delicate samplings of dulcimer, bodhran, harmonium and cello. Lionáird is in the same school of sophisticated but mellifluous folk fusion as Sigur Rós, Andrew Cronshaw and Röyksopp: passionately pursuing new lines of thought and musicality while holding fast to ancient traditions. Musically austere, he is a minimalist of sorts, but pours too much feeling into his art to remain a cold medium for musical ideas.

As on other Real World productions, there's a touch of Peter Gabriel in the stadium-friendly arrangements and the emotive harmonies. Plus there's an echo of U2 on "Day that you were Born" Lionáird counts Bono among his many admirers, along with Nick Cave and Sinéad O'Connor. If you thought Celtic music was fiddles, jigs and reels, this extraordinary album will be a platform for your transfiguration. If you are already an initiate, lie down in these magical fields of sound and prepare for the next Celtic Revival.