Ruby Blue

Released on June 13, 2005, by Echo, Ruby Blue is the debut solo studio album by Irish singer Róisín Murphy. Following the romantic and professional dissolution of her electronic duo Moloko, Murphy partnered with acclaimed electronic producer Matthew Herbert, known for his micro-house and concrete music techniques. Recorded in a custom-built studio where they could mix and record in one room, the album's sonic palette was built around Murphy's voice and the physical sounds of her environment. Herbert had Murphy bring everyday objects to the studio to strike against microphones, resulting in a percussion track built from cosmetics, brass mice, and ornaments. This experimental foundation was merged with jazz, brass, and traditional pop structures, featuring occasional guest instrumentalists playing unusual instruments like the hammered dulcimer. The album was highly praised for its balance of avant-garde experimentation and pop accessibility, charting at number 88 in the UK and reaching number 7 in Belgium's Flanders region.