REVIEW: Jonny Woolnough – ‘Mayurqa’

Originally written and conceived whilst living between mainland Spain and Palma De Mallorca during 2018 and 2019, Jonny Woolnough’s new album ‘Mayurqa’ is said to be a self discovery and emotional rebuilding of sorts. Combining his passion for the written word with its numerous literary references, and time on the Mediterranean island, his latest collection acts as a love letter to one of the more passionate and heartfelt times in his life, delivering a warm and enticing listen as a result.

Over the last year, Jonny Woolnough has been unveiling a swathe of gems from this new collection, each adding a new chapter to the journey that birthed his latest record. But hearing them all together in the same place adds a broader and grander sense of levity. There is a strong and driven narrative running the length of this album, both musically and lyrically. He has this incredible world-building ability to pull you into his spiritually shimmering aesthetic, as you find yourself swept away within its bright and audacious tones.

Notably influenced by the likes of Radiohead with a pinch of psych-rock as well, there is this warming texture about ‘Mayurqa’ that is hard to fully appreciate the first time around. Jonny Woolnough has created a wonderfully vivid atmosphere for us all to explore, something that rarely intrigues us this much.