Josienne Clarke - In All Weather

Poppy, jazzy, melancholic folk.   Does that beautifully wistful, far-away thing that I love the most in folk music (and that Josienne has made a career of) whilst staying uplifting.  Songs that finish with  a sombre moment give way to breezy upbeat pop track the next second, reminding us - me - to not dwell on the past.

This is a confident, assured, and mature album packed with good songs from an artist at the top of her game, I'm looking forward to hearing what comes next lots.

Listen/buy here

Rhiannon Giddens & Francesco Turrisi - There is No Other

As a departure from the mostly metal/rock stuff I've been posting, this is a folk album from an American singer-songwriter and an Italian jazz musician.  I heard this referenced while listening to the excellent Dolly Parton's America podcast and it's great, it's an exploration of the history of folk music on it's journey from the Middle East through Africa and Europe and on to America to end up with what we think of classic country music, what you get as a result is a wonderfully varied and interesting record.

Rhiannon Giddens, among a LOT of other work, also has group called Carolina Chocolate Drops who are great, they play a version of old-time Americana mountain music which is steeped in history and modern sensibilities.

I usually link to the act's bandcamp but this one came out on a major label so it's available wherever you'd expect it to be.