RETURN TO OMMADAWN

Mike you beautiful son of a gun. After all this time you come back and manage to create a strong contender for best album of the 2010s. "Return to Ommadawn" has got to be the most genuine, beautiful and passionate piece of music out there. Every few minutes is a different emotion, from hope to triumph to yearning, distilled into its purest form.

If you're familiar with Mike Oldfield then it's a return to form of his 70s classics + Amarok with a modern sound (well, 2017 modern anyway) and perhaps a touch more new agey stuff. If you have no idea what to expect from Mike Oldfield then it's instrumental progressive "world music" with a Celtic leaning, often propelled by powerful guitar and evoking a sense of nature.

The only issue I have is the beginning of Part 2 is too good. After the first five minutes are over, I chase that dragon and barely pay attention to the next few minutes. I got a little misty-eyed the first time I heard it, and it still moves me dozens of listens later. And yet, the album doesn't take itself too seriously; there are plenty of parts where Oldfield's obviously having fun.

5/5 stars without a doubt in my mind.