Few albums come with as much poetic depth and quiet reverence for life’s overlooked moments as Things Found In Books, the latest collaboration between Yvonne Lyon and Boo Hewerdine. Inspired by the notice board in Culzean Castle’s second-hand bookshop—where lost notes, receipts, letters, and photographs tell forgotten stories—the album is a deeply nostalgic and beautifully crafted collection of songs that celebrate the quiet but profound moments of ordinary lives.
Lyon and Hewerdine, both acclaimed songwriters in their own right, have woven these fragments of history into a rich tapestry of folk storytelling. The result is an album that feels intimate yet universal, rooted in Scotland’s coastal landscapes but resonating far beyond its shores.
The concept behind Things Found In Books is one of the most striking aspects of the album. It’s not just a collection of songs—it’s a meditation on memory, history, and the way we leave traces of ourselves in unexpected places. The album takes inspiration from real-life ephemera: old postcards, scribbled notes, and forgotten keepsakes tucked between book pages, each one holding a story waiting to be told.
This theme is carried through not just in the lyrics but also in the album’s physical release. The decision to present it as a beautifully bound hardback book is a fitting tribute to its literary inspiration, making the music feel even more like a treasured artifact.
Sonically, Things Found In Books is a masterclass in understated elegance. Lyon’s voice, both fragile and intense, blends seamlessly with Hewerdine’s warm, reflective delivery. Their harmonies carry a quiet strength, reminiscent of the folk duets of the ‘60s and ‘70s, yet still feeling fresh and relevant today.
The instrumentation is delicate and uncluttered, allowing the stories to take center stage. Acoustic guitars, gentle piano, and subtle string arrangements create a sound that feels both intimate and cinematic, like flipping through a photo album of someone else’s life but somehow finding your own memories reflected in its pages.
Lyrically, the songs are rich with detail and emotion, capturing moments that might otherwise be lost to time. The writing is full of longing and wonder, exploring themes of love, loss, and the way we hold onto pieces of our past. Whether through a faded photograph or a hastily written note, the album reminds us that even the smallest things can carry immense meaning.
Lyon and Hewerdine’s ability to turn seemingly mundane objects into deeply moving narratives is what sets this album apart. The stories in Things Found In Books feel like glimpses into lives we may never fully understand, yet they are filled with a universal sense of humanity.
As Lyon beautifully puts it: “As humans, we often try to define our stories, arranging and rearranging our histories. We are inveterate meaning makers. We need stories in our lives and we find significance in them.” This sentiment runs through every song on the album, reinforcing the idea that music—like a forgotten note in an old book—has the power to connect us across time and space.
Things Found In Books is more than just an album—it’s a love letter to storytelling itself. Yvonne Lyon and Boo Hewerdine have created something truly special, blending history, memory, and music into a work that feels both deeply personal and profoundly universal.
With its poignant lyrics, delicate arrangements, and evocative themes, Things Found In Books is an album to be savored, much like the old books that inspired it. Whether you listen with curiosity, nostalgia, or a sense of wonder, this collection of songs invites you to find your own stories within its pages.
English