Skellig

Released in early 2021, Skellig represents a significant stylistic pivot for David Gray, moving away from the 'folktronica' sound that defined his commercial peak. Recorded at Edwyn Collins' Helmsdale studio in the Scottish Highlands, the album was born from a desire to capture a more communal and acoustic sound. Gray recruited a small group of musicians to contribute not just instruments, but a 'wall of voices,' resulting in the album's distinctive choral-folk aesthetic. The title refers to Skellig Michael, a remote island that once housed a Gaelic Christian monastery, serving as a metaphor for the album's themes of isolation and spiritual seeking. Critics noted the album's departure from radio-friendly structures, praising its atmospheric depth and the raw, unpolished quality of the recordings. It stands as one of the most cohesive and atmospheric entries in Gray's late-career discography.