Billy Rough

Leveret’s new album ‘Forms’ is a mesmerising and nourishing treat for both the ears and the soul, as they pay homage to their love of the English folk tradition whilst simultaneously breathing new life and energy into historic tunes.

Billy Rough selects his Top 10 Albums of 2022 including Jake Blount, Angeline Morrison, Breabach, Sam Sweeney, Trials of Cato, Peter Knight and John Spiers, Emily Portman and Rob Harbron, Tarren and more.

On ‘Time Was Away’, the perfectly matched Emily Portman and Rob Harbron have delivered an elegant and understated gem that’s beautifully atmospheric and gently beguiling. Take time to savour this treat; you’ll be much rewarded.

We talk to Jake Blount, our current Artist of the Month, about his new album ‘The New Faith’, working with Smithsonian Folkways, the impact of climate change, the ethos of folk music and more.

Jake Blount’s The New Faith is an album rich with themes of hope, resilience and salvation. With a keen sense of tradition, Blount has cleverly delivered a bold, thought-provoking and judicious album…one which is also a thoroughly, staggeringly thrilling listen. Glorious.

We chat with Hannah and Gabriel of Fritillaries, our Artists of the Month, about their self-titled debut album, how they met, their influences, Bristol folk scene, band names and more.

Touchingly poetic, Fritillaries is an enthrallingly scenic, tranquil and fruitful debut. Gorgeously produced, Pawson’s redolent and crystalline voice, accompanied by roots-inspired banjo and Wynne’s earthy mandolin, proves to be an intoxicating mix. A delightful listen.

The sounds of these instruments have rarely sounded better, nor as much fun, as they do on Revel – a testament to the talents of Tarren and a confident and welcome signifier that English folk music is in very safe hands.

Fern Maddie is a name we will hear much of in the future, and Ghost Story is a spell-binding, beautifully captivating and genuinely haunting release – an immediate favourite of 2022.

County Cork resident Eva Coyle is an exciting new voice in Irish music, with a poet’s gift for song and a fine, evocative, voice to match; Down to the Shore is an alluring album that showcases this to the full.

And So We Gather, marks Gaelic singer Kim Carnie’s accomplished and thoroughly captivating solo debut. It features an amazing cast yet Carnie’s velvet-tinged voice is the real star here.

With vocals so pure and flawless yet soothingly emotional, it’s hard not to fall a little in love with the voice of Hannah Rarity. Add some well-crafted and fresh songs into the mix, and To Have You Near is an irresistible album.