Some albums feel like they were found rather than written; like they’ve always existed, waiting for the right hands to brush the dust away. “Things Found In Books” by Yvonne Lyon & Boo Hewerdine is one of those records. It’s a collection of songs woven from the lost and forgotten, love letters without addresses, snapshots of unknown faces, and train tickets to places long left behind. Each track is a moment in time, a soul pressed between pages, whispering its story into the present.
Lyon and Hewerdine, both celebrated songwriters in their own right, have created something truly special here. Drawing inspiration from the notice board in the second-hand bookshop of Scotland’s Culzean Castle, they give voice to lives that once left only the faintest of imprints. Now, through melody and lyric, these lives rise again, vivid and full of color. Let me take you into the depths of this “Things Found In Books.”
The opening track, “The Things You Find In Books” is an invitation, a welcoming into the world they’ve created. Gently fingerpicked guitar and warm piano chords set the foundation as Lyon and Hewerdine trade verses, their voices blending with effortless grace. This song captures the wonder of stumbling upon a forgotten note or a pressed flower; small relics that carry untold emotions. The production is delicate, allowing every breath and nuance to shine.
A story of love, separation, and the passage of time, “Marion And Sydney” leans into folk traditions, its waltzing rhythm evoking candlelit rooms and letters penned by candlelight. Lyon’s voice is particularly arresting here—fragile yet strong, like a thread holding the past to the present. The arrangement swells gently, never overpowering the intimacy of the narrative.
A surrealist dreamscape of a song, “Salvador Dali And Me” is playful and strange in all the right ways. The lyrics dance through time and memory, echoing Dali’s fluid sense of reality. A jazz-inflected upright bass and brushed percussion give the track a free-spirited feel, and Hewerdine’s voice takes on a storyteller’s lilt, pulling us into this whimsical world.
“Viennese Horses” moves with an old-world elegance, its lilting melody reminiscent of a bygone era. Strings sweep in softly, lending a cinematic quality. It shines in its emotional depth. Every note carries longing and grace. It’s a song that feels like a faded photograph come to life.
The sea has always been a keeper of secrets, and “Down By The Harbour” embraces that mystery. There’s a shanty-like rhythm to it, the rolling acoustic guitar and subtle accordion filling the air with salt and wind. The harmonies between Lyon and Hewerdine are effortless, making the song feel like a conversation between old souls.
Moving on, “Cabbage White” is a song that captures fleeting beauty, much like the butterfly it’s named after. It’s one of the gentler moments on the album, its minimalist arrangement allowing Lyon’s voice to hover like a whisper. The lyrics, simple yet profound, remind us of the transience of life’s most delicate moments.
With a smoky, bluesy undercurrent, “Navy Cut” stands apart with its darker, richer tones. The electric guitar hums like a distant storm, and Hewerdine’s voice takes on a weary, knowing quality. It’s the kind of song that stays long after it ends, like the aftertaste of strong whiskey.
Nostalgia wrapped in melody, “Baby Blue” feels like a slow dance under dim lights. Lyon’s delivery is particularly poignant, her voice carrying a lullaby-like softness. The production is understated, letting the emotion speak louder than any instrumentation ever could.
As one of the album’s most intriguing entries, “A Letter From The King” unravels like an unsent letter from history. Strings and piano intertwine beautifully, and the storytelling is at its peak. The spoken word delivery makes it feel like he’s holding a fragile artifact in his hands.
Now, “Paul McCartney In 1970” is a reflective, bittersweet piece that feels like flipping through an old vinyl collection. Acoustic guitar and muted horns give it a warm, sepia-toned glow. The lyrics capture the way music can hold memories tighter than anything else, and Lyon’s harmonies add an aching beauty to the melody.
A song that moves with the easy grace of a breeze through an open window, “Montpellier” is light and free, with a playful bounce to its rhythm. The instrumentation is crisp and bright, capturing the warmth of sun-soaked streets and the joy of wandering without direction.
An exploration of symbols and meaning, “Hieroglyphics” is one of the album’s most rich moments. The melody is haunting, and the production leans into atmospheric textures, with subtle reverb-drenched guitar.
A poignant story wrapped in melody, “Kate And The Missing Trees” feels like a quiet revelation. The delicate piano and Lyon’s hushed vocals make it feel almost sacred, like a secret being shared in confidence.
The penultimate track, “Waiting” is heavy with longing and unresolved emotion. It’s beautifully sparse, with just enough instrumentation to hold space for the lyrics to breathe. Hewerdine and Lyon’s voices intertwine like echoes calling out to one another.
Finally, the album closes with “Hieroglyphics Reprise” and is a return to mystery, a brief and atmospheric revisitation of the earlier track. It leaves us not with answers, but with a sense of wonder—a reminder that some stories are never fully understood, only felt.
What makes “Things Found In Books” so powerful isn’t just the songwriting—it’s the way Lyon and Hewerdine inhabit these stories. Their voices, distinct yet harmoniously entwined, breathe life into each character and memory. There’s an intimacy here, a sense that every song is being sung directly to you, across time and space. The production is beautifully restrained, never overwhelming the storytelling. Acoustic guitars, piano, and strings form the backbone, with occasional flourishes of accordion, brushed percussion, and muted brass adding texture. Every note feels intentional, every silence just as important as the sound.
Overall, “Things Found In Books” is a conversation with the past, a love letter to forgotten lives, and a testament to the power of song to keep memories alive. Lyon and Hewerdine have crafted something truly special: an album that doesn’t just tell stories but invites us to find our own within its pages. If you cherish music that feels like home, like history, like heartbeats on paper, this is a record to hold close. Because sometimes, the most extraordinary things are the ones we almost leave behind.
Listen to the “Things Found In Books” album on Spotify
