Matt McGinn

It’s so rare to hear a duo that are this good across the board, and especially on a debut collaboration. The songwriting, performing and production of Songs by the King Heat Ensemble is quite astounding.

I’m not sure if there’s another living Irish songwriter that has the kahunas to write and release these songs. Thank goodness they found a home, as to me it really places Mick Flannery into a select group of Irish songwriters that you could probably count on one hand.

Allt finds Julie Fowlis, Éamon Doorley, Zoë Conway and John Mc Intyre at the top of their game. That they gel so well musically and allow each other the space to explore new ground says an awful lot for the selfless ethos in both traditional music, and the musicians themselves.

“Katherine Priddy has one of the most beautiful voices I’ve ever heard. Her tone, phrasing, pitch and sentiment..it’s flawless…and her songs are class too.  The melodies, the lyrics, the concepts… all so incredibly engaging.”

Barry and Laura have together made a scrapbook of their life in traditional music and it is truly lovely. There are no airs or graces, no production gymnastics, just a unique snapshot of how these siblings will forever be joined through a living tradition that they themselves have now passed on.

This collection of songs is an incredible testimony to a man who was at his strongest when he should have been at his weakest. Rest in Peace Jimmy LaFave.

This collaboration between Laura Marling and Mike Lindsay should be recorded as one of the most important and necessary works of this decade.

Kacey Johansing’s voice is mesmerising, her songs are perfect, and the album ‘The Hiding’ is a sonic masterpiece. This album will make your summer better, no matter the weather.

Arrow is an album of maturity, self-realisation and integrity. It is the album Ciara O’Neill had to make and without any ulterior motive or compromise. Most of all though, it is so musical! Ciara and her songs carry everything with such conviction, it makes her almost transparent.

Ninebarrow’s The Waters & The Wild is a testament that this is a duo of traditional integrity. They will not conform and jump on the latest bandwagon. Instead, they have the patience and confidence to gently sew new patterns onto familiar tapestry.

‘Places’ is a variable blend of delicate subtleties that will draw you in, and before you know it, leave you in a daydream-like state while as it plays.