This fusion makes Amarantine her most well developed work to date. Another strength of this album is that it seems much more varied in composition, instrumentation and arrangement. In addition the raw power and mystique that we knew from the earlier albums is back with a vengeance. Amarantine sees Enya continue with this exploration and refine it to a much higher degree. For example, Sumiregusa is based on a Japanese haiku by the poet Basho.Įnya has managed to both repeat herself and move forwardĭay Without Rain seemed to chart new ground for Enya in terms of increasing use of strings and a new simplicity of arrangement influenced by classical music, it was too spartan, too short and underdeveloped. Enya also shares with Kateīush an esoteric inspiration for her songs. It blends uplifting melodies, classical motifs and trance-like chants in a familiar yet distinctive fashion. Recorded in Ireland with her long-standing partnership, producer/arranger Nicky Ryan and lyricist Roma Ryan, Amarantine is typically melodious, replete with Celtic and world moods but accessible (despite some tracks being sung in a made up language of Loxian). Yet seldom has any new album been as keenly anticipated as Amarantine.Ĭoincidentally released just after the eagerly awaited comeback from Kateīush, the equally shy and retiring Irish star looks to add more mature, ethereal musical meandering to the charts with her first release since 2000's Aĭay Without Rain, which also spent a phenomenal two years on the Billboard chart. An album by Enya has always been an event, rather than just another record release. Amarantine blends uplifting melodies, classical motifs and trance-like chantsĮnya returns after a 5-year hiatus with Amarantine, probably one of her most daring albums to date.