Duo Ruut, the Estonian duo celebrated for their innovative use of the 42-string Estonian zither, also known as a kannel, release their second full-length album, “Ilmateade” (The Weather Report) today. Written over four years of touring, this album transcends its playful title to explore the profound and often overlooked connection between weather and human experience.

Yoshika Colwell is set to release her debut album, ‘On The Wing’, on July 25th via Blue Flowers. The lead single, ‘In Bloom’, a “bouncy, upbeat kind of country song,” explores “sunny nihilism,” finding beauty and freedom in life’s impermanence. Watch the accompanying video, directed by Tilly Wace and featuring Colwell’s own family.

Solo at Cafe OTO finds Shane Parish reimagining ballads on his Squier Telecaster. Unlike his acoustic Repertoire album, these six tracks are longer, showcasing Parish’s technique and artistic nous. From the leisurely unfolding of John Jacob Niles’ “I’m Goin’ Away” to the jagged edges of David Lynch’s “Sycamore Trees,” Parish imbues each piece with his unique character while the album’s abstract approach provides a freeing, immersive experience.

Kate Daisy Grant and Nick Pynn’s “Songs For The Trees” is an enchanting album that originated from a simple request to sing about a different tree each month. Inspired by ancient arboreal folklore, Grant’s lyrics are captivating, enhanced by Pynn’s arrangements that give the album a spellbinding quality. It’s one of the year’s finest albums and an evergreen for the future.

Ambient-jazz alchemists Fuubutsushi (Patrick Shiroishi, Chris Jusell, Chaz Prymek, and Matthew Sage) offer another captivating glimpse into their forthcoming debut live album, Columbia Deluxe, with the release of their second single, “Light in the Annex.” Due out July 11 via American Dreams, the track is a testament to the quartet’s unique synergy, captured during their inaugural and only live performance.

Taken from her forthcoming new album, Second Circle The Horizon, Sally Anne Morgan shares her new single “Flowers of Shandihar”. The inspiration for the title came from an archaeological dig in Iraq, where Neanderthals buried their dead with flowers. Her earthy banjo loop and soaring fiddle melodies are enchanting, a testament to her intuitive approach, proving that sometimes, the most sophisticated sounds come from the most organic methods.

Eve Adams’s “American Dust,” is a haunting ode to the American Southwest. The album delves into solitude and the enduring American Dream through the lives of those in vast desert landscapes. The opening track, ‘Nowhere Now,’ accompanied by a video Adams shot, captures the album’s bittersweet poetry, inviting listeners into her deeply personal narrative.

Lunatraktors, the innovative “broken-folk” duo, unveil Quilting Points: a captivating album of reworked archival fragments, salvaged songs, and field recordings. Born from collaborations with artists and institutions, it weaves together diverse soundscapes. From the brooding melancholia of “Diffraction Pattern” to the pagan pastoral sounds of “The Hoard” and the defiant “Now The Time,” you’ll be hard-pushed to find a more marvellously inventive or mesmerisingly idiosyncratic folk album this year.

The Barr Brothers announce Let It Hiss, their first album in eight years, arriving October 17th. This isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s a profound document of transformation for brothers Brad and Andrew Barr. After individual ventures, Let It Hiss sees them confronting creative and personal struggles head-on, embracing imperfection and honesty to create their most authentic work yet.

Dive into the raw energy of Zydeco with Clifton Chenier: King of Louisiana Blues and Zydeco. This landmark box set, out November 2025 on Arhoolie Records (now part of Smithsonian Folkways), features 67 tracks (19 of which are previously unreleased) – listen to the powerful 1971 live recording of “Mr. Charlie;” it’s a true testament to the King of Zydeco’s enduring legacy.

Purling Hiss frontman Mike Polizze will release his second solo album, Around Sound, on July 11th via Paradise of Bachelors. The record is a more pensive and intricate affair than his debut, deepening his fingerstyle acoustic magic. The sprawling seven-minute title track is available now, offering what Polizze calls “the light of life.” He’ll play solo shows this spring.

Electronic duo Matmos have released “Steel Tongues,” the latest single from their upcoming album, Metallic Life Review. The track, built from the sounds of a metallic salad bowl, glockenspiel, and even American quarters, offers a deceptively sweet melody that explores darker themes of capitalism and mortality. It’s a prime example of the band’s sculptural and conceptually rich approach to electronic music.