Albums

Yes, it’s a bleak album – that’s it’s intent. But the compulsion to listen echoes the determination of those Victorian adventurers. There is something mystical and otherworldly about these three musicians and the alchemy they produce together. It’s well worth the treacherous journey to reach the other side.

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.

With Cahalen Morrison, Ethan Lawton and Jim Miller all taking lead vocals, writing the songs and switching between instruments, honky-tonk supergroup Western Centuries offer a range of colours – Country songs to drink to, dance to and cry to, get lost in the flood.

The cumulative effect of ‘The Great Untold’ is at once stilling, affirmative and inspiring, as you emerge at the other end as if you’ve been soaking in a bath of aural dead sea salts.  Matthews says that when he’s writing, “I’m almost hearing voices from The Masters and thinking: ‘Would they approve?’” Most assuredly.

The Fretless could feasibly be an important group, a cultural force that could, as they definitely intend, reach many uninitiated ears.  It is what happened to me when I saw them live, so what better than a sizzling live album to convert others? Raw and Exciting from start to finish.

‘The Next Chapter’ is the latest offering from Connla who hail from the cities of Armagh and Derry. It’s an album where panache, energy, and style abound and it needs to be listened to with the same care and attention that has so obviously gone into its production. 

This is absolutely primo Canadian roots music, entirely relatable, emotionally rewarding, and if, at the very least, it fails to gain a Songwriter of the Year nomination for the 2019 Juno Awards, it will be both bewildering and an injustice.

Yarrow Acoustic Sessions is a bold and tender piece of art; current and timeless. It takes songs heard before into new and exciting dimensions with cultural integrity and authenticity.

Subtlety and grace abound in this album. There is something about voices in harmony that make you feel good – and Landless have this to perfection. There are no airs and graces, just beautiful harmonies, their sound uplifting and spiritual, even ethereal.

‘Places’ is a variable blend of delicate subtleties that will draw you in, and before you know it, leave you in a daydream-like state while as it plays.

Steve Gunn and John Truscinski are longtime collaborators and their latest release Bay Head evidences a well-developed relationship between the two – a dreamy escape, a series of sounds and atmospheres to get lost in.

Communion is an excellent solo debut by an artist who is bringing the rich tradition of Korean folk music into the modern age. Stark, hypnotic, minimalist, full of rich hidden beauty.