ALBUM OF THE DAY

Brìghde Chaimbeul, “Sunwise”

By

Michal Wieczorek

· June 26, 2025

In recent years, Brìghde Chaimbeul has embraced her journey as a piper, transforming from a talented artist known within folk communities to a soothing presence that resonates on a global scale. Her remarkable second album, Carry Them With Us, has introduced many to the beauty of bagpipes through a blend of timeless melodies, warm droning, and enchanting vocals in her native Scottish Gaelic. This album created waves of appreciation and ended up on various year-end lists in 2023.

After an inspiring two years of touring, Chaimbeul returns with Sunwise, an album that captures the essence of winter’s quiet rituals and its fleeting days. This collection guides us through the seasonal journey, from the gentle awakening in “Dùsgadh/Waking” and “A Chailleach” to the embrace of the darkest day in “The Rain Is Wine and the Stones Are Cheese,” ultimately leading to the first tender signs of spring in “Sguabag/The Sweeper.” While only three tracks are original compositions by Chaimbeul, the remaining pieces are lovingly drawn from traditional sources, primarily from remarkable field recordings at the School of Scottish Studies in Edinburgh.

Though the album features collaborations with her brother Eòsaph and father Aonghas Phàdraig, as well as the brilliant Colin Stetson, Chaimbeul characterizes Sunwise as a deeply personal endeavor. Her playing is more intimate and focused, with an ethereal quality that echoes the mysteries of tradition. The album’s opening diptych, which fills the A-side, beautifully portrays the arrival of the Cailleach Bheurr, a figure deeply connected to winter. Here, the music presents a serene study of drone, a timeless hum from which gentle melodies gracefully drift, reminiscent of soft winds sweeping over peaceful moors and fields.

Chaimbeul’s vocal presence on Sunwise is more prominent than in her previous works, yet she uses her voice sparingly, adding depth just at the right moments. The other tracks are concise and vibrant, rarely extending beyond three minutes, capturing the delightful versatility of smallpipes and Gaelic music. The lively “Sguabag/The Sweeper,” features a joyful collaboration with fellow pipers John McSherry, Francis McIlduff, and Jamie Murphy, presenting a sound that many will recognize as traditional bagpipe music, even as it melts into a rich tapestry of drone.