The very same day, on their "Widening Gyre" iTunes page, Altan revealed the titles of the 14 tracks from their new studio album and released them for sale.
The Widening Gyre is a compelling development in Altan's story proving that they are still growing as artists, even after nearly thirty years together — the longest running lineup of founding members in Irish music.
Mary Chapin Carpenter, a friend of the band since the 1990s, lent her vocals to the song "White Birds" to create a lush, meditative re-imagining of the W. B. Yeats poem about being a bird on the sea, an appropriate metaphor for a band who has musically and physically crossed the Atlantic in the making of the album.» Mairéad introduces «Eddi Reader as «an amazing singer and very generous person» offering her angelic backing vocals to "Far Beyond Carrickfinn" and she recalls that Altan have played concerts with Reader before and [that] they were delighted to finally have the Glasgow native join them in the studio.» Altan borrowed the mournful waltz "No Ash Will Burn" from the legendary Nashville songwriter Walt Aldridge.
Mairead's crystalline vocals unlock the Celtic undertones of the song while standing in stark contrast to the plaintive baritone of Bruce Molsky, a longtime friend of the band and well-known old-time fiddler and singer.
The bluegrass presence shows itself most clearly on "Buffalo Gals" and "Thomasino (Thomas Tourish's Tune)," a lively fiddle song written by Altan's own Ciarán Tourish who's joined by bluegrass greats Alison Brown, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Todd Phillips, Bryan Sutton and Darol Anger.
O'Brien is best known for his work with Hot Rize, but like many dedicated bluegrass musicians, has shown a deep interest in Celtic music.
[18][19] The Arts Desk website's music critic Peter Quinn, stated: "Listeners looking for the uniquely driving tune sets that Altan are famous for have plenty to get their teeth into", describing The Widening Gyre as "an absolute treasure trove" and Ní Mhaonaigh's voice as "indescribably beautiful", "songs [occupying] a special place on any Altan album", adding: "Ní Mhaonaigh's soaring, soul-stirring vocals on "Far Beyond Carrickfinn" [...] is one of the most touching things you'll hear this year".
"[26] Irish Music Magazine's critic Eileen McCabe, stated: "Altan are just at the start of their next chapter and having shown their inimitable metal with The Widening Gyre; they have set the standard at an all time high.
"[27][28] Folkworks reviewer Anya Sturm, stated: "Altan's new CD The Widening Gyre is a fantastic collection of traditional Gaelic songs mixed in with Irish jam regulars.
The band is joined by many special guests in this collection of upbeat lively jam tunes as well as slower songs sung by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh.
"[29][30] In the May–June 2015 issue of (French magazine) Trad' Mag, folk critic Philippe Cousin awarded The Widening Gyre full marks (giving the album a "Bravo!!!"
[...] Throughout the album, American and Irish tunes intertwine with each other and lay down a wonderful template sublimated by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh's crystalline voice and her fellow musicians' instruments.
In December 2015, The Telegraph's culture editor Martin Chilton chose The Widening Gyre as one of the 70 best folk music albums of the year 2015.
"Far beyond Carrickfinn" (song) «Áit shéimh gan smál—slán slán go fóill—macalla do ghlór ar feochan na gaoithe.» «A glentle unblemished place—goodbye for now—the echo of your voice on the breath of the breeze.» 14.
On 22 February 2015 at West Virginia's Culture Center Theater in Charleston, West Virginia, Altan as a trio (including Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Ciaran Tourish and Dáithí Sproule) performed live for the NPR Music's Mountain Stage radio show a special set of 5 tracks including "The House Carpenter (Gypsy Davy)" from the new album.