The Right Notes at the Right Time

For his third album effort, Irish guitarist Cian Nugent takes a leap into the vocal world. His previous two records have been an exploration of guitar instrumentals with his band, The Cosmos. Nugent’s chilled out vocals and worthwhile songwriting provide significant additions and expand on his guitar ability that already put him on the musical map.  In his new record, Night Fiction, Nugent brings us a series of seven reverb heavy, laid back, coastal sounding vibes sure to please.

True to form, Nugent’s superb guitar playing is at the forefront of Night Fiction as he strums and picks through a series of incredibly original guitar riffs. The way Nugent plays guitar is just flat-out cool. He isn’t trying to blow anyone’s socks off by playing hurricane speed solos, but he is doing something much more impressive instead. He plays the right notes at the right time with the right emotion to create a meaningful and unique guitar sound. This type of cool hand guitar style is something that is so delightfully uncommon. On the track “Lucy,” Nugent swims up and down the frets delivering a clinic on how to play mesmerizing guitar.

Perhaps the most significant track on the album is “Things Don’t Change That Fast.” The song starts out with Nugent’s vocals and a reverbed riff sure to bounce pleasantly between the listener’s ears like beach waves calmly washing up and down a sunset shore. “I’m only in it for the weekend” Nugent calmly sings in an understated, forlorn voice before diving into a slowhand, soul-piercing solo that crescendos into a burst of emotion. Even in the depths of January winter this cool track is able to transport the listener beachside for a much needed vacation.

For this young guitarist, the step into the role of singer-songwriter/frontman is a step in the right direction. The album’s distinctly impressive and refreshingly original feel is hopefully a sign of what’s to come from Cian Nugent.