The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards nominations open today. Performances confirmed for the ceremony include Peatbog Faeries, Joy Dunlop, Mànran, Amy Laurenson Trio, Duncan Chisholm, Karine Polwart and Dave Milligan. There will also be a tribute to Robbie Shepherd.

Unanswered is an album born of serendipitous circumstances, and together, Ward Knutur Townes (ft. Derbyshire’s Lucy Ward, Iceland’s Svavar Knútur and Canadian Adyn Townes) cast an intoxicating spell, one which we hope they will repeat again.

Hannah Read has shared a video for Silverphae, the first single from her concept album ‘The Fungi Sessions Vol. 1‘ on which she explores the marriage of mycology and music.

Listen to The Monday Morning Brew featuring Nina Nastasia, Chris Brain, Joan Shelley, Jesca Hoop, Cat Power, Georgia Harmer, Alela Diane, Alex Dupree, The Weather Station, Pharis & Jason Romero, Native Harrow, Valerie June, Josienne Clarke, Andrew Combs, Indigo Sparke, Le Ren and more.

Make The World Anew attempts in a small but determined way to achieve the edict set out in its title, and it succeeds resoundingly. It is the Melrose Quartet’s most upbeat and accomplished album to date.

Released today, Who Is This? is the stunning new single from Scottish folk singer and multi-instrumentalist Julie Fowlis, co-written with nature writer and best-selling author Robert Macfarlane – also featuring Donald Shaw, Duncan Chisholm and Clockwork Sessions.

Also our Song of the Day, watch the video for ‘Please’, the third and final single from Chris Brain’s highly anticipated sophomore album ‘Steady Away’ which is released next week.

Delivered with freshness and vigour, Track Dogs’ latest release finds their musical smörgåsbord as varied as ever. While sounding joyous, the lyrics and music of Blind Summits and Hidden Dips also reveal depth and complexity on repeat listens.

Watch the new video from the Grace Smith Trio for Saison / Overleaf from which their new album takes its name. I totally fell for this tune on the first listen. Everything about this trio is vibrant and fresh.

Now in its seventh year, Manchester Folk Festival returns next month (19th to 21st October) – read our festival preview and recommendations from their expanded program of over 60 artists who will perform across nine venues throughout three days.

Jerry Joseph cares about two things: music and truth, and the nine tunes on Baby, You’re the Man Who Would Be King take no prisoners, they burn with an intensity lacking in much of what passes for music these days.

Our Song of the Day comes from Seán R. McLaughlin and The Wind-Up Crows. Ninewells is a tremendous rootsy collision of Americana and folk influences that bodes incredibly well for their forthcoming album.