Trees is the long-awaited debut offering from Dubliner Una Keane, in which she proves that  she also knows how to perfectly weave lyrics which will carry the listener away. It has become a sad fact of today’s music scene that singer/songwriters are consistently elbowing their way to words such as “quirky” or “different”, but somehow newcomer Keane has managed to make the genre of quirkiness her own.

The album opens with Alice, there is something extremely haunting about the tinkling piano opening of this track which is not unlike The Cure. Keane’s odd vocals mix with the effervescent piano to create a chorus that is incredibly catchy. Alice is the lead single from the album, and exists as a slightly odd choice as it does little to showcase Keane’s vocal range. The overwhelming element of speaking does detract somewhat from the overall feel of the track, that said, it remains effortlessly listenable. The album like a whole exists as an exploration of a dream-like fantasy. Thankfully for the listener, it is one to which you will wish to return time and time again.

Second track Mr. Icarus is a more relaxing track which finally showcases what is, without doubt, a stunning vocal range. The voice of a pilot bookends the track, but it is Keane’s own vocals which are the driving force of the track. They burn with an intensity which cements this track as one of the finest on the album. The Sailor’s Waltz is a charmingly childish track which is refreshing in the scheme of today’s music scene. It is the perfect track to dance around the kitchen, yelling “I could waltz for hours” with (or like) a three year old.

Saw a Wave brings an important aspect of Keane’s gift into the mix. Keane has an uncanny gift for evoking the import of her lyrics in her music. Here, the piano flows like the water she speaks of, building into a wave that crashes into our aural canals and threatens to stay there until the tide turns. Teardrop is a solid track on its own. but its sombre and macabre mood seems a bit depressing within the scheme of the album as a whole. It is the moody teenager of an otherwise upbeat album.
 

 There are some astonishing stand-out tracks such as Microscopic and Easy, tracks like these showcase Keane at her finest. Fun, quirky belt-em-out tracks are where Keane shines thoroughly, and will cement her status as one to watch. These tracks seem to flow effortlessly from the artist, and are a real treat. Album closer Victory is another slower track, but it is gorgeously sung and arranged, proving that this debut is, in fact, a Victory.

Trees is a record which demands nothing of you. You won’t be asked to put your hands in the air, nor will you be forced to wave them around like you just don’t care. At this time of year, amid the hustle and bustle, Trees is a welcome change of pace, and a welcome moment of escape. From the tracks themselves to the album art, it is easy to see that this has been a labour of love. Personal touches welcome the listener and make us feel as though we know the artist before we even hear her voice. It almost looks as though wallpaper has been torn, and sneaky lyrics inserted, this evokes the child-like qualities which I have already grown to love about this album. For a debut offering, this is an outstanding achievement. We can’t see the forest of other artists through the magnificence of Keane’s Trees.

Ciara O’Brien