Reviews

Surrender To Love

Peter Culshaw

Trapped Animal Records

Rating: ★★★★★★★

Malcolm McLaren once called Culshaw “the Indiana Jones of world music”, and whether in Cuba at the start of the...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: May/2026

Esperança

Nancy Vieira & Fred Martins

Galileo MC

Rating: ★★★★★★★

Esperança is a heartfelt collaboration celebrating two distinct but intertwined musical traditions. Fred Martins, from Brazil, and Nancy Vieira, from...

Reviewed by Lucy Hallam in issue: May/2026

Brasiliano

Lucas Santtana

Top of the World

Nø Førmat

Rating: ★★★★★★★★

This joyful album celebrates language as a window into Brazil’s history and its people. Featuring eight languages, its title, Brasiliano,...

Reviewed by Joe Mulhall in issue: May/2026

Consuelo

Los Sara Fontán

Aloud Music

Rating: ★★★★★★★★

A deliriously fun release from the Spanish duo, who blend the digital and the organic to form off-kilter bangers which...

Reviewed by Rosie Esther Solomon in issue: May/2026

Ayô Dele

Ireke

Underdog Records

Rating: ★★★★★★★

Returning with Ayô Dele, meaning “joy comes to me” in the Yoruba language, Afro-French collective Ireke serve up a suitably...

Reviewed by Andrew Taylor-Dawson in issue: May/2026

Dreng

Gangar

heilo

Rating: ★★★★★★★

Norwegian five-piece ensemble Gangar blend Nordic roots music with heavy metal. With no quarter given to either of the two...

Reviewed by Paul Bowler in issue: May/2026

In Light

Batila

Galileo MC

Rating: ★★★★★★★

Congolese producer Batila’s latest release, In Light, offers up a soothing soundscape that connects the listener to the rich textures...

Reviewed by Chinonso Ihekire in issue: May/2026

Where Two Hawks Fly

Sam Grassie

Top of the World

Broadside Hacks

Glasgow-raised singer-songwriter Grassie’s debut album, Where Two Hawks Fly, comes fully formed and richly adorned. It’s a carefully curated collection...

Reviewed by Billy Rough in issue: May/2026