Composed from a cabin surrounded by snow-capped mountains during a writing retreat in the heart of Canada’s Rocky Mountains, Wintersongs is Laila Biali’s musical love letter to winter...

Wintersongs contains 9 tracks (36 min, 34 sec) that are designed to conjure up images of the winter months. Whilst Biali's vocal's are soothing and the piano and jazz-based instrumentation arrangements are incredibly well realised, it's the subtle strings backing that really helps to transform this release into a truly magical experience.

In all honesty I'd be willing to pay the full album price for the opening track 'Drifting Down Ice' alone, but the depth of writing on display here ensures that there's at least a handful of songs that you'll instantly fall in love with. Repeat listens guarantees that any other tracks that you may have felt ambivalent about, soon become ones you can't live without.

The album closes with two exceptional instrumental tracks, 'Winter Waltz' and 'Jesus, He is Born (Iesous ahatonnia'). Which rounds of a pretty perfect album.

Spoil yourself this winter and soak up the soothing sounds of Biali's mini work of art.

9

Darren Rea