Reviews
Ironclad and Palm Trees
Sometimes you hear a record that feels like it is inviting you into its world. Ironclad and Palm Trees, the...
Reviewed by Joe Mulhall in issue: June/2026
Ascending
Stevens & Pound with Robert Macfarlane
Good luck pigeonholing this debut from classically trained percussionist Delia Stevens and harmonica and melodeon player Will Pound. It draws...
Reviewed by Nathaniel Handy in issue: June/2026
Flame Folclòre
Cocanha have done it again. Following their recent team-up with Los Sara Fontán and Tarta Relena on 4132314, the Occitan...
Reviewed by GonÇalo Frota in issue: June/2026
Chamber Music
It’s always good to see young guitarists coming through and flying the flag for acoustic instrumental music. Miami-based Conor Moore...
Reviewed by Glenn Kimpton in issue: June/2026
Cantigas
On Cantigas Nilza Costa takes a direct approach to music that is often exoticised or treated as ornament. Born in...
Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: June/2026
Langs
This is a welcome third release from a trio with a distinctive approach to Norwegian folk music. With a core...
Reviewed by Fiona Talkington in issue: June/2026
Istem
Vegar Vårdal feat. Johannes Martens
Norwegian fiddler and pianist Vegar Vårdal has been performing for over 30 years and is an acclaimed teacher and composer...
Reviewed by Chris Wheatley in issue: June/2026
The Path Before Us
Crossing is a trio that unites players from Burkina Faso and Italy, featuring Petit Solo Diabaté (kora, n’goni, balafon), Nino...
Reviewed by Martin Longley in issue: June/2026
Sun in the Sands
Owen Spafford, Will Allen and Ben Filmer-Sankey
Last year fiddle player Owen Spafford created the wonderfully weird album Tomorrow Held with guitarist Louis Campbell. Now, he’s got...
Reviewed by Julian May in issue: June/2026
Midnight Hurricane
This is an impressive debut album from North Carolina’s teenage bluegrass prodigy. Asher Brinson is just 16 years old, but...
Reviewed by Paul Slade in issue: June/2026
