Whether conjuring the golden hush of Paris mornings, the icy pulse of Berlin winters, the wide, hushed fields of Monaghan, or the echoes of youth drifting through Belfast, MAHUNA constructs a musical world rich with place and feeling. “Forever Is Mine” unfolds like a collection of postcards from the soul, each song rooted in a particular memory, geography, and emotional state.
The album begins with “The Road I Have Wandered,” written in Berlin. This opening track gently marks the end of one chapter and the quiet anticipation of what’s next. Soft acoustic guitar, subtle piano flourishes, and shimmering keys wrap around vocals that feel like a farewell whispered under the breath, tender, reflective, and full of quiet courage.
“Far-Off Summer’s Night” stands out as one of the album’s most haunting pieces. Set in Monaghan, it explores the presence of absence, serving as a tribute to MAHUNA’s late father. There’s a ghostly beauty here, his voice drifting above delicate instrumentation, capturing a sense of longing and the surreal closeness that grief often brings. It’s melancholic but never heavy, buoyed by a subtle hopefulness.
“Dream Winter’s Day” brings the listener into a moment of stillness. Written amid Berlin’s snow covered calm, it reflects on the quiet joys and anxieties of fatherhood. Driven by an elegant piano line and warm, unhurried vocals, it offers a peaceful meditation on domestic life, love, and grounding in the everyday.
The lead single, “Shimmering Light,” glows with warmth and clarity. The track blends layered guitars with thoughtful reflections on family and the quiet wisdom of nature, serving as the emotional centerpiece of the album.
The closing track, “They Won’t Be Coming Home,” evokes imagery of storm tossed shores and forgotten names. With lyrical nods to Ireland’s literary traditions, it mourns the lost while also honoring them, wrapping sorrow in reverence.On his debut full length, MAHUNA offers more than a collection of songs; he delivers a heartfelt journey through memory, place, and identity. “Forever Is Mine” is intimate, cinematic, and wholly human.
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