The debut solo album from Irish singer-songwriter Paddy Hanna, Leafy Stiletto is an expressionistic affirmation of the musician’s outstanding talent.
Opening with the slow soft fade of ‘Rosslare Tapes’, Hanna and his band interweave and move around one another melodically creating a pulsating backdrop for the songwriter to convey his lyrical musings upon. With this introduction, Paddy Hanna establishes the lush, organic mood of Leafy Stiletto.
Continuing with the percussive blend of alternative-pop and folk tracks such as ‘Join The Army’, Hanna translates his ability to delivery hook-laden choruses while still maintain the vast scope of his succinct and captivating, observational writing. Indeed the affective simplicity of the artist’s approach to his lyrics create a world and an atmosphere that is completely in and of itself.
Opening the textural vastness of the album sonic scope, the trembling growl of ‘Mind’s Wearing Make Up’ and the quirky synth of ‘Heaven of Heavens’ introduce a wider spectrum of sound and texture to Leafy Stiletto.
However, it is with the track ‘Barry White’ the sheer scale of Paddy Hanna’s talents can be found. Serving as the record’s high-water mark the succinct nature and attention to detail blends together all of the elements that make the songwriter’s music so captivating. The pounding aesthetic of the song’s rhythm section moves and punctuates each lyrical twist in Hanna’s delivery to provide a recording of outstanding structure and form.
Harmonically, melodically and lyrically engaging from start to finish Leafy Stiletto is an album of thematic and cohesive brilliance, and with this debut Paddy Hanna has made the best possible first impression. Stunning.
Rating: 9/10
Leafy Stiletto by Paddy Hanna is out now via Popical Island.
The Last Mixed Tape 
5 responses to “Paddy Hanna – Leafy Stiletto”
[…] Starting 2014 with the release of his first solo LP, Hanna’s latest record is a simply sublime affirmation of the artist’s songwriting talents, that with each listen reveals new and exciting sides to the artist’s music most effectively heard in the tracks ‘Rosslare Tapes’ and ‘Barry White’. Read TheLastMixedTape’s full review of Leafy Stiletto here. […]
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[…] UPDATE: Singer-songwriter Paddy Hanna has also been confirmed to perform on the night. Hanna’s début album Leafy Stiletto has established the artist as formidable storyteller in an album that could very well be seen as one of the albums of the year come December. Read theLastMixedTape.com’s review here. […]
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[…] touring his brilliant début album Leafy Stiletto (read theLastMixedTape.com’s full review here) the Dublin based musician is set to play several dates around the country this month. See the full […]
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[…] artist’s deep lyrical talents within a serene alternative-folk sound. Read the full review here. Key Track: ‘On This Pier Too […]
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[…] 16. Paddy Hanna – Leafy Stiletto Paddy Hanna’s debut solo album Leafy Stiletto was one of the highlights of 2014 and rightfully features in our readers top 20. Read TLMT’s full review here. […]
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