Enya

The Profile

Enya (Eithne Ní Bhraonáin) is an Irish solo artist and former member of Clannad, best known for a studio-crafted, multi-tracked vocal sound and atmospheric new-age/Celtic recordings. She achieved major commercial success with albums such as Watermark (including the hit "Orinoco Flow").

Reviews on DeBaser praise early albums (Watermark, Shepherd Moons, The Celts) for atmosphere and vocal technique; later albums (Amarantine, And Winter Came...) receive frequent criticism for repetition and recycling of formulas. Enya is known for refusing to tour and for a studio-focused production approach.

DeBaser reviews celebrate Enya's early masterpieces (Watermark, Shepherd Moons, The Celts) for their atmosphere, vocal layering and craftsmanship. Later releases (Amarantine, And Winter Came...) are frequently criticized for repetitiveness and recycling of formulas. Reviewers note strong production and a distinctive studio-crafted sound; they also highlight Enya's reluctance to perform live.

Notable Quotes

❝ Watermark, her masterpiece, is a classic example of a seminal album: Enya would attempt to recreate it three times, and the remarkable thing is that on the first attempt, "Shepherd Moons," the miracle was repeated, an event not rare in the musical field (splendid examples of "clones" come to mind, like "In The Wake of Poseidon" by King Crimson).

❝ but by now, not even the undeniable refined technique and savvy craftswomanship of the (former?) Irish muse can mask an increasingly dangerous lack of ideas.

❝ So, excluding some more original episodes like "Sumiregusa" and "Drifting", "Amarantine" is a fine product of recycling.

❝ This is indeed Enya's strategy: listen to me, you'll be calm, I won't shake you, no jolts, no minor chords, no drum rolls, you just sit there quietly in your armchair, I'll take care of relaxing you.