Dark Sky Island
by Enya
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 31
  3. Negative: 3 out of 31
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  1. FrankyRiver
    Nov 23, 2015
    10
    Enya is back after 7 years, 3 of those working on this album in which, although not wholly thematic, is inspired by the world's first "Dark Sky Island".

    The album hearkens back to and is most strongly reminiscent of "Shepherd Moons" mixed with "The Memory of Trees". "The Humming" instantly transports us back to Enya territory, where there is no similar music style or sound to compare    Enya is back after 7 years, 3 of those working on this album in which, although not wholly thematic, is inspired by the world's first "Dark Sky Island".

    The album hearkens back to and is most strongly reminiscent of "Shepherd Moons" mixed with "The Memory of Trees".

    "The Humming" instantly transports us back to Enya territory, where there is no similar music style or sound to compare with. It's a signature dark-ish Enya track and sets us on this sort of cosmic journey the album draws on.

    "So I Could Find My Way" and "I Could Never Say Goodbye" are the slow moving ballads, both heartfelt and saddening. Enya has terrific vocals and can sound fragile and strong at the same time.

    "Even In The Shadows" is the most "modern of tracks" with a pulsing vein beat and is one of the standouts on the album

    I believe "Forge of the Angels", "Remember Your Smile" and "Solace" are the weakest tracks, the latter two part of the deluxe additional tracks. They are similar sounding to her other work and there isn't enough variation to go around to say they are memorable.

    "Echoes in Rain", the lead single, is optimistic and very buoyant, if not a little repetitive towards the end.

    "Dark Sky Island" may be mid tempo and at first listen, a little plodding, but it too shares the best tracks with "Even in the Shadows".

    "Sancta Maria" is an infusion of classical sensibility, new age and contemporary into one. If there were more lyrics, perhaps this would have been a huge standout.

    "Astra Et Luna" has a beautiful and haunting opening and once in full force, sounds very much like a "A Day Without Rain" album song with the pizzicato strings and bouncy nature of the tempo.

    "The Loxian Gate" is a cosmic journey and reminds me of something like "Storms In Africa" from "Watermark" or the track "The River Sings" from "Amarantine". It's one of those percussion heavy Enya songs and invokes some pretty epic imagery.

    "Diamonds on the Water" is a pleasant song, alternating rhythm cleverly. A good song to close out the standard edition.

    The one standout track on the deluxe edition is "Pale Grass Blue". This is, according to many, a fan favourite on the album. Quick lyrics and string heavy, it's similar to a "A Day Without Rain" album track, very much like the optimistic "Wild Child" or "Flora's Secret". It should have replaced "The Forge of the Angels" in my respectful opinion.

    In short, it's her best work "A Day Without Rain". Arguably, it sounds like a way point between "Shepherd Moons" what with its mystical and mysterious vibe and the mid-tempo and craft songs of "The Memory of Trees" with a dose of pizzicato and bounciness to two tracks like "A Day Without Rain".

    I believe fans will love this as it's less plodding and more upbeat and varied than the love-y dove-y "Amarantine" and much more refined and less campy than "And Winter Came" and much more complex and less simple than "A Day Without Rain". It's her best work in a very long time and the critic reviews reflect this.    … Expand
  2. Petrichoria
    Nov 25, 2015
    9
    Overall an anthemic album and alot of variation! Tracks to watch out for are "Even In The Shadows", "Dark Sky Island", "Echoes In Rain" and "I Could Never Say Goodbye". Possibly the best work she has put out this century thus far! =]
    Avoid Forge of the Angels and some of the bonus tracks; they don't do Enya justice at all
  3. lydyanah
    Dec 10, 2015
    10
    A sound that had not much change, but it still transforms, it's the kind of music that the world needs to hear. That's the Enya's music and no one can do better.
  4. Felipecritic
    Nov 24, 2015
    8
    Depois de 7 anos sem lançar um álbum de estúdio e feito tantos trabalhos bons, acho que não esperavam que a Enya fosse voltar com um trabalho que superasse vários anteriores. Dark Sky Island é um dos melhores álbuns da Enya sem dúvida, todas músicas são boas (só não gostei muito de So I Could Find My Way e Diamonds On the Water). O álbum merece sucesso, assim como todos anteriores tiveramDepois de 7 anos sem lançar um álbum de estúdio e feito tantos trabalhos bons, acho que não esperavam que a Enya fosse voltar com um trabalho que superasse vários anteriores. Dark Sky Island é um dos melhores álbuns da Enya sem dúvida, todas músicas são boas (só não gostei muito de So I Could Find My Way e Diamonds On the Water). O álbum merece sucesso, assim como todos anteriores tiveram e nesse trabalho é possivel notar que Enya, Roma Ryan e Nicky Ryan evoluíram com o passar do tempo em todos aspectos (melodias, letras, vocais, instrumentais).… Expand
  5. mtofer
    Dec 1, 2015
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Yes, her voice and her music has always been very distinctive but I almost fell asleep when i pre-listen this album. There is nothing exciting here. Her way of composing, producing and even recording it is all the same and i personally think it is really boring. It is such a shame that she doesnt try with something new, knowing there are great tools and music libraries nowadays.… Expand
  6. WahabAhmed
    Dec 27, 2020
    10
    Just pure art this is like going to heaven. Don't know a better artist. Enya I love so so so much

Awards & Rankings

97
#97 Most Shared Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. The New York Times
    Dec 9, 2015
    70
    The lyrics often mention homecomings; the music is a warm bath.
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  2. Drowned In Sound
    Dec 2, 2015
    80
    Yes, Dark Sky Island’s mix of Irish folk, choral music, pianos, synths and vocals with more layers than a 50 foot gobstopper; but the music of Enya is impervious to outside influences: if she didn’t continue to make it, then nobody else would.
    Read full review
  3. The Telegraph (UK)
    Dec 2, 2015
    80
    The melodies are lovely, if conservative: as elegant and classically tailored as her gowns.
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