Mariam Matossian- Far From Home (Self Produced)

*** (3 Stars)

Every so often, an Armenian album comes out of nowhere to impress the listener and leave them wondering, “Where the hell did this come from?” In the case of twentysomething year old schoolteacher Mariam Matossian, the answer is Vancouver, Canada. Far From Home is a collection of 10 Armenian folk songs spread over 13 tracks (the song “Groong” is sung three different times) sung in a very clear, measured, and ultimately sweet innocent style that captures the listener from her first breath. Matossian made the wise decision to work with multi-instrumentalist and producer Adam Popowitz (guitar, mandolin, bass) in creating a dreamlike and very contemporary sound that has an earthy Enya-like feel to the music. Classic songs such as “Shogher Jan” and “Hayastani Aghchigner” are turned upside down with the Popowitz guitar and mandolin arrangements giving Matossian room to wander and breathe new life into songs recorded countless times before. “Mayrigis” and “Hayrenik” are the heavy hitters on this album as the eclectically acoustic based folk band is in full swing with Matossian’s supremely focused approach. At times, Matossian’s voice seems as though it is as light as air in the beautifully arranged “Oror” and her “Groong” interludes. With Far From Home, Mariam Matossian brings back the element of innocence into the listener’s consciousness. While other artists simply hack folk songs to make cash in this marketplace, Mariam Matossian makes you believe every work she is singing.