This is the first CD by hurdy gurdy player Steve Tyler fully comprising his own compositions. (He has previously played and recorded with medieval bands Daughters of Elvin, Misericordia and Woodwose; also, more in the balfolk style, with The Wendigo, Angles and with Jon Swayne and Becky Price.)

There are a few other musicians playing on the CD, most notably on:-

Tethys (track 7): Katy Marchant sings in her ethereal textless way over a building texture created by hurdy gurdies (including the clacking of keys) and reed organ, inspired by the crashing of waves on the beach. The improvised line is taken over by bass viol played by Mike Edwards. Mike (an enthusiastic player in many local bands and an original member of Electric Light Orchestra) was killed in an unlikely accident just before a gig with us (Daughters of Elvin) in 2010. Katy subsequently dreamt of him as a whale, singing and swimming freely amongst the waves. He would have been perfect for this piece and I was lucky to find a single recording from 2007 of his solo improvisation. It so happened that this fitted almost perfectly, as if he had this future track in mind.

Lullaby (track 9): The original version (cittern, voice and violin) created spontaneously beside a dying fire after a nocturnal music session with Jane Harbour during one of her visits to Brancepeth Castle. Jane plays with the band Spiro and was commissioned by BBC Radio 3 to compose Kynde, premiered by the BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC singers in March 2017.

Senescence (Icicle's latest offering), in its essence, is about death, mortality and the finality of things.
Indeed, it is an album which deals with difficult subjects. It questions, and it consoles. It is full of zest, clarity and above all - peace and resolve. It celebrates death rather than dread. In fact, it even brings a festive feel to it.

The opening/intro track Killer sets the mood for a journey that is rich in amplitudes and anticipation.
The second track Questions (Part 1) gets to the point rather adroitly with a powerful and assertive tone. It is as if Krassy Halatchev (the main force behind Icicle) is racing with the clock but, in reality, aren't we all U+003F ?
The first single Talk Talk Talk was dubbed as "the best break-up song ever" by one of Icicle's long-time loyal fans. It is a track that masterfully captures the feeling of abandonment, betrayal, hurt and loss. It grips with raw anger, despair and agony from the first note.
The second single Another Moment, featuring Laurie Gordon on lead vocals, is in full contrast to the latter. It is a soft ballad-esque tune which focuses on the importance of moments and details that matter the most. Time is running out after all.
Senescence is a record in the most traditional sense. It is an album which beckons you sit down and listen to in its entirety because, as Prince reminded us, "Albums still matter."

For more info please visit Icicle's website.

'End of Summer' is a jazzy, lo-fi Hip-Hop instrumental album that's perfect for adding groove to your Vlogs and Lifestyle videos.