Featured Albums of the Month

Light Up the Dark is the latest offering from The Outside Track. Using musics of their native lands of Scotland, Ireland and Cape Breton as cornerstones there really is no dull moment amongst this generously-stocked offering. Another glorious and strong release from this world-class pan-Celtic band.

Atlantic Drifter is the latest album from FRUK favourite Jonathan Day… It has an air of quiet self-assurance which negates the need for any superfluous bells and whistles. The music exists in and of itself yet remains both approachable and absorbing; placeless but grounded, timeless and yet somehow outside time.

After the fantastic response from our readers to her new album, Stone’s Throw, The Lament of The Selkie, we are very pleased to be able to premiere Rachel Taylor-Beales wonderful new video for the title track. Watch it here.

Ross Ainslie brings together a highly talented cast on his latest album Remembering, all of whom are aware of the uniqueness of this project; and that awareness shines through in the music. This is a substantial step forward for Ross.

Rachel Taylor-Beales fourth studio album ‘Stone’s Throw, Lament of The Selkie’ takes the form of a kind of song-cycle. Some three years in the making it is masterfully conceived and presented with imagery that is both precise and tantalising in its expression. An exceptional album.

Man is Made is the second album from Michael Edgar and seems a natural and welcome progression from his debut release ‘Shine’. Michael has his own voice, and it’s a very appealing one. He has his own stories to tell; and on Man Is Made, they’re well worth listening to.

Alex Seel’s Other Paths EP is a hugely impressive musical calling card, with each of its five songs showcasing a different side of this multi-talented musician’s skills. His ear for harmonies and his subtlety as a lyricist are revelatory and it’s to be hoped that a full-length album follows before too long.

Solid song writing and one of this year’s finest vocal performances have combined with Steven Polwart’s engaging arrangements and Mattie Foulds’ atmospheric production to create an album that showcases Mairi Orr’s vibrant love of acoustic music, story-telling gift and ability as a performer.

Sisters Vikki Thorn and Donna Simpson met Josh Cunningham when touring Australia’s West coast. Forming an instant bond they became The Waifs. That bond is stronger than ever on ‘Beautiful You’, their best album yet.

Steve Tilston’s profile has been on the up and up with a great couple of recent albums, a Folk Award and now a film inspired by an unusual event in his life, but the real story is that his latest album, Truth To Tell, is yet another wonderful record from one of English folk music’s most accomplished songwriters.

At a time when individuality in society comes at a price…Little Arrow rail against mediocrity with an irresistibly fierce passion. The result is ‘Old Ink’, one of the most intoxicatingly original records you’re likely hear this year.

With a gig at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival Antun Opic releases the excellent Shovel My Coal EP. Both suggest a real step up and the music doesn’t disappoint.