Will Barnes Quartet: Outside the Light

Once an area of contention, the border between England and Wales, known as the Welsh Marches, is now a lovely rural region of farms, valleys, hills and castles. The Will Barnes Quartet draw inspiration from this landscape, as well as that of Mid Wales, to drive their compositions and improvisations on Outside The Light. This major step forward follows on from their debut album Source of the Severn (AAB Records, 2023).

Across the album's eight tracks, guitarist Will Barnes explores themes of mythology, seasonal transformation and symbolism alongside his quartet: pianist Jack Gonsalez, bassist Aidan Thorne and drummer James Batten. Barnes composed seven of the pieces, with Gonsalez contributing the eighth.

The album opens with "Annwn," the Welsh mythological word for the "Otherworld." This mysterious world of eternal youth is presented in a piece that gently ebbs and flows with Barnes' guitar dancing gracefully around sensitive accompaniment, creating a refined soundscape that lets in plenty of space.

The pace increases with rapid guitar flourishes on "Devil's Bridge" as Barnes stands out by bringing a fresh, inventive approach to his improvisations that is as much about feel as it is precision. The band's sharp interplay comes to the fore on "Bloom;" Barnes is eloquent, perhaps with a nod to Wes Montgomery, while Gonsalez and Thorne add inventive solos. "Never Done" has a touch of the same classic bebop feel, along with bustling rhythms, more excellent piano and bass work and some well-judged drum interventions.

The band handles the reflective ballad "The Longest Day" in exemplary fashion and Celtic influences surface on one of the album's highlights, "Light of the Beacons," featuring deft guitar explorations winding through carefully arranged accompaniment. Gonsalez's composition "Lleuad Fedi" stands out both for the nighttime feel of his lyrical piano solo and Barnes' bluesy contribution.

The band is in full creative flow on this album, fusing images of natural beauty into a soundscape of shimmering textures. Barnes' improvisations are assured, never becoming formless, as his compositions percolate through myth and topography, making a positive impression with every track on this highly pleasing album.