Neil McFadyen

Let The Cards Fall surpasses its predecessor in its power to take you along with it. Once again, The Breath have the power to ensnare you, and you’ll be able to think of nothing else. You have been warned.

With captivating music and song, fascinating snatches of interview, and immersive soundscapes, Northern Flyway takes us on a journey through our own relationship with birds…to the hopes and dreams that have defined humanity since we first looked to the skies.

Kansas City Out Groove is an album brimming with confident and accomplished musicianship, first-rate vocal performances, and an abundant, utterly infectious, relish of the music itself.

Writing music about his native Speyside definitely seems to bring out the very best in Hamish Napier. The Railway really is a truly delightful journey. As expected, this is music that makes the heart sing.

After almost 40 years as a performer, Cavalier proves that Eddi Reader’s talent as a singer, arranger and writer has never diminished, her music shines bright as ever. Album out on 28 September via Reveal Records.

Refreshingly contemporary in their approach, while staying true to their Highland influences; with Road To The North, Assynt have created a debut album that marks them as one of our most impressive young bands.

Curse of Lono have lived up to the promise of their fascinating début and somehow manage to offer even more. There are big ideas and compelling prose, and that music is just thrilling. As I Fell is an exceptional album.

With Rooftop Sessions Dreamers’ Circus celebrate more than the colour and vibrancy of Scandinavian music, they celebrate the ability it has to drive inspiration and innovation, and place themselves firmly in the vanguard of that movement.

After fitting out his boat as a combined living space and recording studio, Mike Vass invited various friends aboard to record some music – and the delightful result is his latest album – Notes From The Boat. Warm, engaging melodies and sparkling performances combine with Mike’s peerless skills as an arranger for a truly delightful album.

On Banjophony, there’s a connectivity among the musicians that goes far beyond simply sharing a melody; it’s an exchange of ideas and influences and a platform to explore them. O’Kane and Block have taken a collective approach to create an album of incredibly captivating music.

All Souls seduces the senses with songs that individually open from a distance and come rapidly closer, but collectively flow along like a gentle river current. An album that’s sure to become a firm favourite.

With each successive release, Dàimh seem to exceed their aspirations, creating and recording peerless new music. The Rough Bounds is an exceptional album, from an exceptional band.

Ross Ainslie & Ali Hutton have yet again proven themselves to be not only masters of Scottish traditional music but at the very forefront of the movement that continues to breathe new life into that music, inspiring the next generation. Symbiosis was beguiling, Symbiosis II is utterly hypnotic.

Throughout, Faeland exhibit a soft, measured assurance in the performances and a rich, inviting warmth in the production. All My Swim is a debut that does far more than impress, it delights.

Lucia Comnes opens Held In The Arms with a hearty welcome, closes it with a warm embrace and all the way through delivers assured, beautifully crafted, American folk. Although there are songs here that have emerged from shadow, it’s still a journey into the light – and that light is a warm, welcoming glow.

New albums from Beth Nielsen Chapman seem few and far between, but when they do arrive they’re solid gold. Hearts Of Glass is no exception. Her decision to bring in Sam Ashworth as producer has fostered a new setting for her music, one that offers her engaging lyrics room to breathe.

We talk to American singer songwriter Mary Gauthier, our featured Artist of the Month, about her latest album, Rifles And Rosary Beads. A work that brings new songs to her audience, from a quite remarkable source.

There’s far more to Undersong than the time Salt House spent recording on the tiny Hebridean island of Berensay, with seasoned producer Andy Bell. Undersong is a highly accomplished album of wonderful music, that singles Salt House out as a trio of exceptional talent.