2002 has been one of the most popular and distinctive names in New Age music for well over twenty years with their ethereal acoustic and electronic instrumentals, often enhanced with wordless vocals. Over the past several years, Pamela and Randy Copus have been adding lyrics to some of their songs and introducing their daughter, Sarah, as a new member of the group. Sarah was featured prominently on their 2014 release, Trail of Dreams, which went on to win “Best Vocal Album” at that year’s Zone Music Reporter Awards. With their new release, Celtic Fairy Lullaby, 11-year-old Sarah is featured on most of the twelve tracks singing in Gaelic, Welsh and English as well as playing harp and violin (not all at the same time!). Now referred to as “The First Family of New Age Music,” their sound is still very much the 2002 we have come to know and love over the years, while allowing that sound to freely evolve. Randy Copus performs on guitar, bass, piano, and keyboards while Pamela plays flute and harp.

Celtic Fairy Lullaby is a collection of “timeless songs from ancient lands.” All of the music has a slow, flowing tempo and a consistent mood that makes the album perfect for relaxation, sleep, and meditation. Sarah’s voice is light and angelic, and, to my ears, a bit overpowered by the backing instrumentation. I’m not even sure which of the songs are sung in English, and I keep straining to hear what she is singing even if I don’t know the languages. Letting go of that and listening to Sarah’s voice as another musical instrument, the album is beautiful and soothing from start to finish.

My favorite track on the album is the haunting “Cariad.” In places, Sarah harmonizes with her own voice and shows her remarkable range - both musically and emotionally. Pamela’s flute is especially lovely on this track. I also really like “Bi Thusa ‘Mo Shuile (Be Thou My Vision),” a new arrangement of the traditional Irish hymn that has become very popular over the past several years. “Eamonn an Chnoic” is a sweet and gentle instrumental that tells the story of a Robin Hood type of figure in Irish history. “My Singing Bird” is the other instrumental track, with harp and flute carrying the gentle melody - very sweet and refreshing!

Sarah Copus is an exceptional new talent, and it will exciting to see how she evolves as a musician. Celtic Fairy Lullaby is available from 2002Music.com, Amazon, iTunes, and CD Baby. Check it out!