Irish songbird Enya is famous for her velvety voice which comforts like an oasis in a storm. Amarantine, her first album in five years, is a beautifully crafted treat for the ears.
It takes its name and theme from a mythical flower that never fades, symbolising eternal love. Like Enya's previous CDs, it has an atmospheric blend of folk, symphonic backdrops and classical motifs.
Less than a Pearl, The River Sings and Water Shows the Hidden Heart are written in a fictitious language.
If it's a gimmick, it's one that works well, as Enya's trancelike voice blends into the melody like a musical instrument, resulting in a harmonious confection.
Title track Amarantine - a soothing ballad about the meaning of love - is the most outstanding song. Also great is Someone Said Goodbye, a haunting piece about the pain of love. The CD isn't innovative, as it follows the formula Enya perfected in Watermark (1988). But she still stands above the many faceless female singers with indistinct styles.