Reviews | Songlines

Reviews

Review of Maelström

Maelström

Azmari

Sdban Records

Rating: ★★★

Named for Ethiopia’s travelling musical storytellers, Belgian five-piece Azmari mix global jazz with elements of funk and dub to conjure...

Reviewed by Olivia Cheves in issue: December/2023

Review of Vainaan Perua: Satavuotinen Sakka

Vainaan Perua: Satavuotinen Sakka

Emilia Lajunen

Nordic Notes

Rating: ★★★★

There’s a fascinating premise behind this new release from Finnish folk violinist Emilia Lajunen, the title of which translates as...

Reviewed by Chris Wheatley in issue: December/2023

Review of Ultrabelleza

Ultrabelleza

María José Llergo

Sony Music Spain

Rating: ★★★

This first full-length album by Spanish singer-songwriter María José Llergo offers further proof of her versatile reimagining of traditional flamenco,...

Reviewed by Huw Hennessy in issue: December/2023

Review of Solen Var Bättre Där

Solen Var Bättre Där

Ævestaden

Supertraditional

Rating: ★★★★

When I reviewed Ævestaden’s 2021 debut album Ingen Mere Gråter in Songlines #176 (April 2022), I described their music as...

Reviewed by Tony Gillam in issue: December/2023

Review of iViV

iViV

Oriane Lacaille

Music MDC/[PIAS]

Rating: ★★★★

When you listen closely to Oriane Lacaille’s music, you inveitably think of Leyla McCalla. The Creole quality of Lacaille’s songs...

Reviewed by GonÇalo Frota in issue: December/2023

Review of Collage

Collage

Erlend Apneseth Trio with Maja S K Ratkje

Hubro

Rating: ★★★★

The list of musical genres that Norwegian band Erlend Apneseth Trio tap into for their new album, Collage, could be...

Reviewed by Devon Léger in issue: December/2023

Review of Galargan

Galargan

The Gentle Good

Bubblewrap Collective

Rating: ★★★

Cardiff-based songwriter and instrumentalist Gareth Bonello, better known as The Gentle Good, explores the traditional song and folklore of his...

Reviewed by Kevin Bourke in issue: December/2023

Review of Look Over the Wall, See the Sky

Look Over the Wall, See the Sky

John Francis Flynn

River Lea Records

Rating: ★★★★★

Speaking to Songlines in 2021, Irish folk singer John Francis Flynn described his debut album, I Would Not Live Always,...

Reviewed by Olivia Cheves in issue: December/2023

Review of Ao Mar

Ao Mar

Ão

MayWay Records

Rating: ★★★

‘Ão’ is a specific sound in Portuguese, a real headscratcher for most non-native speakers. Maybe thinking of it as an...

Reviewed by GonÇalo Frota in issue: December/2023

Review of Tøyen Sessions

Tøyen Sessions

Gjermund Larsen Trio

heilo

Rating: ★★★★

Although all the compositions on this new album by Norway’s Larsen Trio were apparently written by Larsen himself, you might...

Reviewed by Jon Lusk in issue: December/2023

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