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Reviews

Review of Pequena Vertigem de Amor

Pequena Vertigem de Amor

Sessa

Mexican Summer

Rating: ★★★★

Sessa is a Brazilian musician from São Paulo. His latest album Pequena Vertigem de Amor adds yet another layer to...

Reviewed by George Newton in issue: December/2025

Review of MACHETE

MACHETE

Bejuco

Top of the World

Discos Pacífico

Rating: ★★★★

The second album from this dynamic outfit from Tumaco in Colombia’s Pacific region follows their 2021 debut, Batea, which introduced...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: December/2025

Review of A Piece of Infinity

A Piece of Infinity

Meklit

Top of the World

Smithsonian Folkways

Rating: ★★★★

Meklit is an Ethiopian-American vocalist, songwriter, composer and activist based in San Francisco. Her latest release finds her explicitly exploring...

Reviewed by George Newton in issue: December/2025

Review of Gleann Ciùin

Gleann Ciùin

Claire M Singer

Touch

Rating: ★★★★

Singer’s Gleann Ciùin is her second album dedicated to evoking the Cairngorms. It’s framed by two epic 19-minute tracks, the...

Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: December/2025

Review of Nehalennia

Nehalennia

Naragonia Quartet

Trad Records

Rating: ★★★

The Belgian Naragonia Quartet is a quality act. Toon Van Mierlo and Pascale Rubens are a button accordion duo, roping...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: December/2025

Review of To Those Who Have Gone, I Sing in a Key of D

To Those Who Have Gone, I Sing in a Key of D

Dantchev:Domain

Glomama Music

Rating: ★★★★

Dantchev: Domain is a Helsinki-based quartet led by Bulgarian-Finnish singer and percussionist Anna Dantchev. She’s joined by Finnish musicians on...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: December/2025

Review of Mehfil

Mehfil

Vidhya Gopal

Universal Music India

Rating: ★★★★

Based in Mumbai, architect turned vocalist/songwriter Vidhya Gopal has a lifelong adoration for Hindustani music, lending her a variety of...

Reviewed by Charlie Cawood in issue: December/2025

Review of It Was Also Sometimes Daylight

It Was Also Sometimes Daylight

Merlyn Driver

Merlyn Driver

Rating: ★★★★

Part scream, part slide whistle, the call of the curlew has been a thing of comfort for Orkney native Merlyn...

Reviewed by Olivia Cheves in issue: December/2025

Review of Como Las Canto Yo

Como Las Canto Yo

iLe

La Buena Fortuna Music

Rating: ★★★

iLe, a former member of alternative Puerto Rican hip-hop outfit Calle 13, is having a busy year. A guest appearance...

Reviewed by Philip Sweeney in issue: December/2025

Review of araon

araon

Sian

Sian

Rating: ★★★

The second album from Scottish vocal trio Sian arrives in a whirl of complex harmonies and rousing melodies. The entwined...

Reviewed by Olivia Cheves in issue: December/2025

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