Thomas Blake

On Fretted And Indebted, Alasdair Roberts brings focus to the traditional songs and singers that have inspired him and also illuminates some of his own considerable talents.

We talk to Jenny Sturgeon about the making of her new album ‘The Living Mountain’, the influence of Nan Shepherd’s writing, the Cairngorms, the benefits of the natural environment and more.

Nan Shepherd’s writing has found a perfect musical equivalent in Sturgeon’s stunning new album…a work of rare beauty: to hear The Living Mountain is to hear the song of the Cairngorms.

The Magpie Arc’s debut EP is a varied and brilliantly executed set of songs from a truly gifted group of musicians and bodes extremely well for what is to follow.

Martin Green goes well beyond the boundaries of traditional music with The Portal, a multifaceted artwork that is as original as anything that has come out of this strange year.

Wrackline is more than a mere collection of songs, it is a stunning and complete work of art, put together with great care and skill, performed with Hield’s distinctive magic.

McVittie never loses the wide-eyed sense of wonder at the poetry of the natural world. If she set out to reflect that beauty and wonder in music, she has succeeded admirably.

The undeniably beautiful songs of Murder, And The Birds relish the ugly and the odd… Jaycock is a master of carefully managed contradictions, and a true original.

Hold Fast reflects Stick In The Wheel’s acceptance of diverse musical forms and their radical desire to change things for the better. An urgent and quite brilliant album.

The Eight Gates offers a small glimpse of the bare bones, the craft and hard work that lies behind the artistry and heartbreak of Jason Molina.

Monmouth’s Twelve reflects both Fishclaw’s creative freedom and an ever expanding palette from one of the most exciting and original bands currently working within the loose framework of folk music.

Heart’s Ease provides a tantalising glimpse of what may still be to come from Shirley Collins, an album even better than its predecessor, an album as good as folk music gets.