HaWthorn is the collaboration project of Tony Wakeford (Sol Invictus, The Triple Tree) and Matt Howden (Sieben). This isn't their first official collaboration, as they released the albums Wormwood and Three Nine under the name of Howden/Wakeford. This is their first release under the name of HaWthorn, though. The Murky Brine has a clear theme: the sea; the dangers of the sea, but also expectations, dreams, and finally the tide that will carry us all home. Some songs are a little more abstract, but most of them clearly lock on to this theme. The sea also returns in the music, in the form of samples. Besides this, there is the familiar interplay between Matt's typical violin and vocals, and Tony's work in generally more minimalistic tracks. The previous releases already showed how good these two gentlemen sound together, but this album takes it to a new level. Partly thanks to the thematics, The Murky Brine succeeds in soundings whole, but it is also musically very well done.

The album stars with the ominous "The law", which features samples of the sea and a threatening piano melody, overlayed with whispers and vocals by Matt; later dragging violins are added. I think this is one of the strongest tracks on the album. This is followed by the repetitive "Now and at the hour of our death", another threatening song, with Tony's vocals, and twanging violin and distortion. Another highlight is "Oh sea, you have taken me!", a typical Matt song with his special vocals, violin, and the recognisable 'Matt rhythm section'. I always like this about Matt Howden's music, and besides, this is a very catchy and almost sensual song. The same goes for "When my ship comes in", where Tony and Matt sing together, accompanied by sea sounds and the versatile sounds of Matt's violin. "House of locks" is a very good up-tempo track, with Tony's vocals accompanied by violin and rhythm. The album closes with the more reassuring "Carry me home". In the end, though, I like it best to just listen to this album in one go, because all tracks form a beautiful whole, that tells a story about the sea in its different aspects. I recommend this album to all lovers of both these artists, and those who love varied neofolk songs with a prominent place for the violin.

D.M.K.