Tiny Notes

If there's healing in song, then The Young’uns are performing some kind of mental health service for their nation. The latest studio album from the Teesside folk trio of Sean Cooney, Michael Hughes and David Eagle brings their powerful a cappella harmonies and storyteller's touch to more tales from the everyday. What sets The Young’uns apart, after 20 years together, is not only their musicianship, but their ability to create unadorned traditional folk song for our contemporary world without it being affected. Not many can pull that off. The ‘tiny notes’ in question are ones tied to Sunderland's Wearmouth Bridge by 22-year-old Paige Hunter to connect with those contemplating suicide.

The word ‘love’ crops up a lot in their songs – love between humans, love of place. There's a generosity to the trio, typified by the fact that many songs are written at the request of loved ones. Songs about those lost to terrorism, conflict or simple despair. Interspersed around their a cappella harmonies are some gorgeous string arrangements by Jon Boden, with piano from Eagle, plus some ‘tiny notes’ sung by Karine Polwart, Lucy Farrell and Anne Lamb. This is modern folk for all the ages.