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Review of Spíra

Spíra

Ólöf Arnalds

Bella Union

Rating: ★★★

Ólöf Arnalds was part of the wave of Icelandic talent that swept into the broader musical consciousness in the early...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: February/March/2026

Review of Masonolay i Cepo’

Masonolay i Cepo’

Outlet Drift

Wind Music

Rating: ★★★

The message is a celebration of Taiwan’s Indigenous culture. The medium is rock. Outlet Drift is a trio from Taiwan’s...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: January/2026

Review of The Tapi Project

The Tapi Project

Tapi

Songdew

Rating: ★★★

Tapi put their best feet forward on opener ‘Paigam’, with a surando (folk fiddle) sample introducing a reflective vocal refrain....

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: July/2019

Review of North South East West

North South East West

Inger Hannisdal

Jazzland Recordings

Rating: ★★★

Norwegian folk and Arabic maqam engage in an understated courtship on this debut record by violinist Inger Hannisdal. Bass, drums...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: December/2022

Review of Zorongo Blu

Zorongo Blu

New Bojaira

New Bojaira

Rating: ★★★

Zorongo Blu offers an accomplished but not entirely comfortable fusion of jazz and flamenco. The group take their name from...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: Aug/Sep/2019

Review of 공 空 ('Empty')

공 空 ('Empty')

Melanie Eden

Melanie Eden

Rating: ★★★

Melanie Eden is an Australian performance poet and musician who does not do things by halves. Notable for her unvarnished...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: December/2021

Review of Posse of Fireflies

Posse of Fireflies

Supriya Nagarajan

Manasamitra

Rating: ★★★

Yorkshire-based Karnatic singer Supriya Nagarajan recalls the India of her youth on this record, which highlights the wonder and mystery...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: November/2022

Review of Bondona

Bondona

Khiyo

Top of the World

ARC Music

Rating: ★★★★

On the strength of their 2015 debut album Khiyo were nominees in the best group category at the Songlines Music...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: October/2022

Review of Ye Ankasa | We Ourselves

Ye Ankasa | We Ourselves

Jembaa Groove

Agogo Records

Rating: ★★★★

Jembaa Groove’s 2022 debut album was a highlife highlight (a Top of the World in #177). The Berlin-based group elegantly...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: June/2024

Review of Night Reign

Night Reign

Arooj Aftab

Verve

Rating: ★★★★

Aftab’s 2021 album Vulture Prince transcended art music obscurity to enjoy blanket broadsheet coverage. It won the Pakistani-American artist a...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: August/2024

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