On Fruitful Fells, Jez Hellard reminds us “…that it’s the world rather than you that’s been going mad”. Mad the world may be, but it’s immeasurably improved by having music such as this brought into it, imaginative, thought-provoking and, above all, entertaining.

Watch Akaal, the latest single from world music artist Ajeet who weaves inspiration from traditional Irish folk to mystical and meditative soundscapes. I wrote this song to stay close to the precious and fragile moments we have to enjoy together…

Listen to ‘Aftersun’, the new single from Henry Taylour (released tomorrow). Working with acclaimed producer Josh Tyrrell, he expands his sound and deepens the beautiful narrative of his work on this exceptional release.

Thanks to the musicians and poets of the Khasi Hills and Gareth Bonello, we learn of the little-known history between Wales and this area of India. While ‘Sai-thaiñ ki Sur is diverse and broad, it is also a remarkably cohesive and excellent album.

On 23 July, Drag City will release ‘The Old Fabled River’, a collaboration between Alasdair Roberts and the Norwegian group Völvur…a melding of Celtic and Scandinavian intuitions of culture and music. Taken from the album, listen to the new album single Orison of Union and also watch Alasdair perform a solo rendition.

Pokey LaFarge shares video “Get It ‘Fore It’s Gone”, taken from his forthcoming new album ‘In The Blossom of Their Shade’ which his label are calling his strongest and most mature lyrical efforts to date.

Dylan LeBlanc’s “Pastimes” EP is an eclectic set of cover songs with personal associations and a homage to those who inspired his sound – from the Rolling Stones to Glen Campbell.

On Bloomsday, enjoy the words of James Joyce from Ulysses, set to music by Sonny Condell (Scullion), plus, watch a specially commissioned film by Myles O’Reilly (Arbutus Yarns).

After a year out, award-winning family festival, Underneath the Stars, is set to return for its seventh year on Friday 30th July – Sunday 1st August 2021. Check out their latest lineup announcement, it’s going to be a good one.

Joined by fiddler Chance McCoy, watch JP Harris performing Barbry Allen, a track taken from his forthcoming album of traditional music – “Don’t You Marry No Railroad Man” which is out later this month on Free Dirt Records.

Jame McMurtry is to release The Horses and the Hounds on August 20 via New West Records, his first for the label and his first collection in seven years.

The Electric Muse Revisited is a collection that will stay with you and promises to be a seminal document of folk music in these very exciting times. It’s guaranteed to get you thinking, hunting out but – above all – revelling in brilliant music.