Temple (2016)

"Having supported Mumford & Sons in the early days, Hegarty was well versed in folk but his ability to blend those roots with a brush of electronica was spellbinding in the record’s finest moments: "Into Gold" and "Counting Paths". Contrastingly, his sophomore collection, "Temple", retracts into a more stripped-back place, losing the synth soundscapes that made album one so compelling and often heading towards more minimalist territory, without retreating entirely to the banjo-heavy work of his early EPs. Taking just three months to pen, after Hegarty set himself the target of writing a track per week, "Temple" opens with the sublime Graveyard Parade, which possesses a sprawling chorus that is a thing of beauty. Old Master’s folky beginnings disguise bigger ambitions before it unravels, subsequently soaring like a Ben Howard number from his album, "I Forget Where We Were". Hegarty’s captivating vocals are stunning throughout and the emotional vulnerability he creates is mesmerising." (stereoboard.com)