Lost in the Cedar Wood is the fifth[a] studio album by British singer-songwriter Johnny Flynn, released on 14 May 2021 through Transgressive Records.[1] The album is a collaboration between Flynn and British nature writer Robert Macfarlane.[2][3]
| Lost in the Cedar Wood | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 14 May 2021 | |||
| Genre | Folk | |||
| Length | 41:35 | |||
| Language | English | |||
| Label | Transgressive | |||
| Producer | Charlie Andrew | |||
| Johnny Flynn chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background edit
Flynn and Macfarlane collaborated to make Lost in the Cedar Wood beginning in the first half of 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] In an interview, Flynn noted that much of the writing was done separately, with communication with Macfarlane via WhatsApp, due to COVID lockdown restrictions.[2]
The album is loosely based on the Epic of Gilgamesh, aiming to compare the themes of the ancient work with the modern world in the context of the pandemic.[4] The album was recorded in a solar-powered cottage in Hampshire, England.[5]
The track "Home and Dry" was released as a single, entitled "Home & Dry (For the Fishing Industry Safety Group)" on July 7, 2020.
A music video animated and directed by Lynn Tomlinson was released for the track "Ten Degrees of Strange".[6]
Reception edit
The album has a score of 76 on the review aggregator Metacritic, signifying "generally favorable reviews".[7] NME gave Lost in the Cedar Wood four out of five stars, comparing it with the "joyful sound of spotting sunshine in the darkest of times".[4] Clash magazine gave the album a rating of 8/10, calling it a "barnburner".[5] Timothy Monger, writing for AllMusic, rated the album 4/5, praising the collaboration between Flynn and Macfarlane.[8]
Track listing edit
All tracks are written by Johnny Flynn and Robert Macfarlane
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ten Degrees of Strange" | 4:30 |
| 2. | "The World to Come" | 3:56 |
| 3. | "Gods and Monsters" | 3:36 |
| 4. | "Bonedigger" | 3:28 |
| 5. | "I Can't Swim There" | 4:31 |
| 6. | "Nether" | 2:51 |
| 7. | "Flood in the Desert" | 3:35 |
| 8. | "Tree Rings" | 2:47 |
| 9. | "Enkidu Walked" | 4:00 |
| 10. | "Home and Dry" | 3:20 |
| 11. | "Ferryman" | 4:57 |
| Total length: | 41:35 | |
Personnel edit
- Charlie Andrew – production, mixing
- Matthew Glasbey – mixing, engineering, additional production
- Guy Davie – mastering
- Cosmo Sheldrake – engineering
- Beatrice Minns – cover art
- Flora Wallace – back cover
Charts edit
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[9] | 13 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[10] | 65 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[11] | 2 |
Notes edit
- ^ Not including a live album and film soundtrack.
References edit
- ^ "Johnny Flynn and Robert Macfarlane - Lost In The Cedar Wood". The Drift Record Shop. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ a b Rathe, Adam (17 June 2021). "Emma Star Johnny Flynn On His New Album, Lost in the Cedar Wood". Town & Country. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ Cairns, Dan. "Robert Macfarlane and Johnny Flynn on their album Lost in the Cedar Wood". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ a b c "Johnny Flynn and Robert Macfarlane – 'Lost In The Cedar Wood' review: folkies look on the bright side". NME. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Johnny Flynn, Robert Macfarlane - Lost In The Cedar Wood". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ Johnny Flynn and Robert Macfarlane - Ten Degrees of Strange (Official Video), retrieved 27 July 2021
- ^ Lost in the Cedar Wood by Johnny Flynn, retrieved 27 July 2021
- ^ Lost in the Cedar Wood - Johnny Flynn | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 27 July 2021
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 October 2021.