Almighty Love Sony Music***

For the last decade, Damien Dempsey has been incorporating social commentary into his material – so it’s somewhat surprising, given Ireland’s current boutof doom and gloom, that Almighty Love is exceedingly introspective. Two excellent love songs (the title track and the beautifully tender You’re the Cure) bookmark his seventh album, while Chris and Stevie and Canadian Geese display the Donaghmede man’s talent for storytelling over the usual heartily strummed folk-, rock- and reggae-tinged melodies.

Such displays of vulnerability sound at odds with the political and societal themes on tracks such as Born Without Hate, Community and Moneyman, which as a result can seem a bit tacked-on. The result is an occasionally great album which sounds rather muddled, despite the best of intentions. damiendempsey.com

Download tracks:You're the Cure, Fire in the Glen