Reviews

The Power of Polska

Johanna Juhola and Lena Jonsson

Put two Nordic musical superstars together, and something breathtaking happens. Vibrant, innovative and charismatic Juhola has lit up the Finnish...

Reviewed in issue May/2026

B

Cara de Espelho

When Cara de Espelho released their debut album two years ago, its themes reflected the sad state of the world....

Reviewed in issue May/2026

Lyric

Stelios Petrakis

Stelios Petrakis is one of the finest Cretan lyra players in action today, although he’s also playing the lute on...

Reviewed in issue May/2026

Tovi

Teija Niku

A ‘tovi’, Finnish accordionist Teija Niku helpfully explains, is “an undefined bit of time, somewhere between a moment and a...

Reviewed in issue May/2026

Notes to Self

Catrin Finch

The Welsh harpist’s first solo album in a decade – following her stunning albums and tours with Seckou Keita and...

Reviewed in issue May/2026

Nocturnal Consolations

Iztok Koren & Raphael Rogiński

This debut collaboration between Slovenian multi-instrumentalist Iztok Koren and Polish guitarist Raphael Rogiński oozes confidence from the outset. Recorded live...

Reviewed in issue May/2026

Midnight Followed

Firelight Trio

The thrilling Firelight Trio return with Midnight Followed, their second album. It’s a vibrant mix of Celtic, French, Scandinavian and...

Reviewed in issue May/2026

Palmier

Rocé

A long-established presence in French hip-hop, Rocé brings depth and restraint to his latest release, Palmier. The album unfolds as...

Reviewed in issue May/2026

Tåreportens Pärla

Maria Kalaniemi & Pekko Käppi

The Kalevala, a 19th-century Finnish epic, inspired this mostly improvised dialogue between two of the country’s foremost folkies. Maria Kalaniemi...

Reviewed in issue May/2026

Króta

Mats Edén, Tellef Kvifte & Knut Kvifte Nesheim

A beautiful and courageous acoustic set featuring Norwegians Knut Kvifte Nesheim on percussion and Tellef Kvifte on sea flute (the...

Reviewed in issue May/2026