Albums

For their latest release, Perú Selvático – Sonic Expedition into the Peruvian Amazon 1972-1986, the Analog Africa label once again confounds any preconceived ideas as they head to the Peruvian Amazon rainforest for some of the most exciting electric music of the 1970s and 80s.

Steeped in Scottish history and folklore, Scottish Folk Ballads of Freedom is further evidence of Sam Shackleton’s singular approach and his growing eminence beyond folk circles.

The Shovel Dance Collective’s The Water is the Shovel of the Shore is one of the most forward-thinking and original collections of traditional material you’re likely to hear this year, or any year.

Dark Horse is a beautiful debut EP from Annie Baylis and a thoroughly enticing introduction. I’m sure that I will not be the only one relishing the prospect of a full album.

This exciting double release from New York-based Lily Tapes and Discs sees Hour guitarist Michael Cormier-O’Leary drop his first recording of solo piano improvisations and JR Samuels follows his ace Hand Like God with a new set of guitar songs, enhanced by MIDI expression.

Phil Tyler and Sarah Hill’s ‘What We Thought Was A Lake Was A Field Of Flax’ is an exceptional album. Engaging and intriguing in equal measure, it’s certainly one of the best albums of 2022.

Despite the weight of many of the themes, there are many beautiful moments of respite throughout Westward, to Nowhere. In laying bare their deepest innermost feelings and fears, Ian McCuen has created a moving storytelling journey that is all the more beautiful for its fragility.

Singles is a very welcome, super-quality compilation release from the Smoke Fairies, who were the first UK band to sign with Jack White’s Third Man Records label.

It is on the forward-thinking ‘Theatre’ that Anna Mieke’s true artistic voice begins to emerge. It is a heady tangle of passing feelings, temporary thrills and vivid, heavy real-world matter all wrapped together in pure and lush acoustic folk. 

For ‘Dialogues’, Scotland-based cellist Su-a Lee celebrates her folk music friendships with Duncan Chisholm, Jenna Reid, Patsy Reid, Donald Shaw, Phil Cunningham, Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis, Natalie Haas and more. It’s a triumphant album; you won’t hear a more rewarding album in a long time.

The essence of The Little Unsaid’s songcraft is that good things (strange and remarkable things, too) can come out of bad times or uncomfortable situations. Their music is all about those contrasts, and Fable illustrates them more sharply than anything they’ve done before.

Liberating old forces and combining them with the new, Montparnasse Musique have unleashed a giant of an album with Archeology, one that sweeps you up in an irresistible new wave of music.