Folk singer-songwriter Emily Portman – together with fiddle player Lucy Farrell and harpist Rachel Newton – visited Brighton on the day of release of Portman’s third solo album, Coracle.

They opened with Hollin – the night’s only traditional song. It made an appropriate jumping-off point for Portman’s self-penned work, which draws on fairytales, folk stories and magical realism, with motherhood and birdlife frequent motifs.

The trio’s arrangements were intricate and dextrous, with vocal harmonies to die for. Stick Stock told the chilling story of a murderous stepmother; Portman picked up a banjo for Hatchlings (based on a Greek myth of swan seduction); while Newton led troubled lullaby Little Longing.

The later part of the set focused on Coracle. Highlights included Borrowed and Blue – Portman’s profound, humane response to folk standard The Cruel Mother – and A Grief, which made for an intense sequel to Stick Stock.

The trio made their musicality and inventiveness seem effortless, weaving together Portman’s sweet singing voice with percussive and melodic harp, dynamic fiddle and haunting concertina. Farrell even elicited some atmospheric, ghostly notes from a saw.

Despite the often bleak nature of the set, the trio thrived on – and returned – the venue’s customary warmth. A fine way to launch an album.

Five stars