This record of one-off concert with the Film Orchestra Babelsberg is a natural extension rather than a dramatic reimagining of the songs of Berliner Cherilyn MacNeil, aka Dear Reader. We Followed Every Sound is comprised primarily of tracks from the Johannesburg native's acclaimed 2013 Rivonia, which tackles complex and tragic events from apartheid-era South Africa. Bolstered and plumped with orchestral swells, the songs ooze a musical theatre playfulness and vitality (MacNeil could pass for Julie Feeney's southern hemisphere spiritual sister), which belies the serious subject matter. The result is an interesting juxtaposition of weighty and sombre lyrics and lush, radio-friendly pop melodies. The performance gives new life to older material as well – Dearheart, in particular, epitomises MacNeil's smart, refined songwriting chops. dearreadermusic.com
Download: Cruelty On Beauty On, Dearheart