Reviews | Songlines

Reviews

Review of Mad Dogs

Mad Dogs

Grace Rogers

Sophomore Lounge

Rating: ★★★

Kentucky singer, songwriter and poet Grace Rogers comes from a family of old time, traditional and stringband musicians – during...

Reviewed by Kevin Bourke in issue: August/2025

Review of Jawaya Jathum

Jawaya Jathum

Fancy Fingers & Winyo

Delicious Tunes

Rating: ★★★

Jawaya Jathum translates as ‘The Guitarist and The Music Lover’, these being Polycarp Otieno (aka Fancy Fingers) and sweetly soulful...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: August/2025

Review of Nu Sta Li

Nu Sta Li

Grupo Pilón

El Palmas Music

Rating: ★★★

Following in the footsteps of influential groups like Bulimundo, Luxembourg-based Cape Verdeans Grupo Pilón have been updating the funaná genre...

Reviewed by Tom Newell in issue: August/2025

Review of The Devil Rides Again

The Devil Rides Again

Adrian Raso & Fanfare Ciocarlia

Asphalt Tango Records

Rating: ★★★★

There is no doubt that Fanfare Ciocarlia remain among the fastest and most precise brass bands in the world. And...

Reviewed by Ula Nowak in issue: August/2025

Review of Cacofonia

Cacofonia

Gabriel da Rosa

Stones Throw

Rating: ★★★★

A Brazilian based in Los Angeles, Gabriel da Rosa’s music pays tribute to his homeland with a gently modernised updating...

Reviewed by Paul Bowler in issue: August/2025

Review of Pantilde

Pantilde

The Worm

PRAH Recordings

Rating: ★★★

The debut full-length from avant-folk project The Worm, Pantilde is a concept album that pulls you into a world of...

Reviewed by Olivia Cheves in issue: August/2025

Review of Sunwise

Sunwise

Brìghde Chaimbeul

Top of the World

tak: til / Glitterbeat

Rating: ★★★★

The third solo album from Scottish composer and smallpipes player Brìghde Chaimbeul, Sunwise feels like the start of a bolder...

Reviewed by Olivia Cheves in issue: August/2025

Review of Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From?

Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From?

Mádé Kuti

Top of the World

Mádé Kuti

Rating: ★★★★

The introduction to a third generation of the Kuti family came with Mádé’s 2021 debut album For(e)ward, yet its impact...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: August/2025

Review of Cold Blows the Wind

Cold Blows the Wind

Granny’s Attic

Grimdon Records

Rating: ★★★★

The assured trio of Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne on melodeon, concertina and vocals, singer and guitarist George Sansome and violinist Lewis Wood...

Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: August/2025

Review of Lamomali Totem

Lamomali Totem

Lamomali

Wagram Music

Rating: ★★★

Back in 2017, the French rocker -M-(otherwise known as Matthieu Chedid) joined forces with Toumani Diabaté and other African stars...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: August/2025

Subscribe from only £7.50

Start your journey and discover the very best music from around the world.

Subscribe

View the Current
Issue

Take a peek inside the latest issue of Songlines magazine.

Find out more