Oisin Leech announced himself in 2024 as a singer-songwriter of some distinction with his solo debut album ‘Cold Sea’. It was awarded BBC 6 Music’s Album Of The Year (as chosen by Cerys Matthews) while MOJO, UNCUT and The Irish Times also hailed it as one of their Albums Of The Year.
As crisp and clear as the North Atlantic Ocean beside which it was recorded, his album benefited from the subtle presence of some stellar musicians, namely Steve Gunn who produced, M Ward, Dónal Lunny, Róisín McGrory, and Bob Dylan’s bass player Tony Garnier but the acute sense of yearning is all Leech’s own.
Oisin’s songs map exile, love, loss, and healing via erudite guitar and judicious use of synth and strings. The wilds of Malin, in north Co. Donegal helped inspire this quiet gem of a record. The songs, which are steeped in folk nestle up and whisper in your ear- they are deliberately uncluttered, even sparse. Like Malin itself, space and air are everywhere and the pace is unhurried. Yet, paradoxically, there is emotional intensity aplenty.
Since the album’s release Oisin has shared the stage with Vashti Bunyan, Richard Hawley, Lisa O’Neill, Ron Sexsmith, Tindersticks and Gaz Coombes. He recently was invited to perform at Glastonbury Festival 2025 and Green Man Festival.
- Cerys Matthews Album Of The Year BBC 6 2024
- MOJO Albums Of The Year
- UNCUT Top 30 of 2024
- Irish Times Top 10 Irish Albums Of 2024
- Irish Times Top 5 Roots Albums of 2024
- Ralph McLean ‘Album Of The Year Best New Release’ 2024 BBC Radio Ulster
- “Oisin has reached a new pinnacle on Cold Sea.” Shindig Magazine
- “An irresistible gem” Record Collector
- Irish Albums Of The Year – Nialler9
- Irish Albums Of The Year – The Thin Air
Cold Sea Out Now On Limited Edition Vinyl and CD.
