Thank Folk For That have always celebrated Caitlin Rose. She’s a unique force of nature, off-kilter and less conventional than other proponents of the Nashville scene. You could say she was one of our first loves, prompting this site to exist in the first place, so it is only right that Caitlin will be our very last review. This isn’t Caitlin Rose’s very first show back in the UK after her extended hiatus, but it feels like it. There’s a buzz of anticipation as she mounts the stage. It’s a sell-out this evening and the Deaf Institute is a bit sweaty to say the least, and so it should be; the N ..read more

Some straight facts, straight from the top; Fenne Lily is a UK-born, USA-based singer songwriter. Big Picture is her third full album. It is, however, the first to be written across the breadth of a relationship, rather than as a retrospective. As a result it more accurately, more honestly, depicts the ups and downs of a real relationship. It is honest. As is Lily when she explains that ““Writing this album was my attempt at bringing some kind of order to the disaster that was 2020. By documenting the most vulnerable parts of that time, I felt like I reclaimed some kind of autonomy.” That aut ..read more

Lucius hit the stage this week at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, New Jersey in their bright pink suits, classic blonde wigs and dazzling make up. As multi-instrumentalist and vocalists, Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig are the complete performance package, delivering fun choreography, tight harmonies, and a master command of overall stage presence. This current ‘Love So Deep Tour’ is in support of their 2022 album Second Nature (produced by Brandi Carlile) which is proving to still be raging hot. They opened with the title track ‘Second Nature’ which set the bar for the audience. The disco, upbe ..read more

Hayden has, by his own admission, taken a while to produce his ninth studio record, Are We Good, with a gap of nearly eight years between records. Other than a single song, “Make Believe” from a project in 2020 which didn’t fully develop, the first hint that long time fans of Hayden had of what was to come was the release of the first track of the record “East Coast” in October. Beginning with a rolling piano, Hayden sings a melancholic ballad reminiscent of Leonard Cohen.   Part of the creative process for the record was influenced by a song writing workshop which he was invit ..read more

Daughter’s new record Stereo Mind Game opens with a track simply called ‘Intro’; it’s initially indiscernible, gradually adopting an ethereal cadence and organically manufacturing mysterious nuances, perhaps as you’d expect from a band synonymous with the darker recesses of the soul. As the layers increase, a cinematic majesty embraces the listener before retreating back to a serene state, eventually being replaced by brilliant first single ‘Be On Your Way’, renewing our relationship with Elena, Igor and Remi. There may be a breathy familiarity in these opening moments, but also something ano ..read more

This evening’s entertainment in a heaving Academy is an absolute joy from start to finish, and an eclectic line-up ensures there really is something for everyone. First up is Manchester-based Hannah Ashcroft. Quietly spoken, her music mirrors this disposition and it takes a song or two for the crowd to pay attention. As the set progresses there emerges something spikier, something akin to the forthright nature of Courtney Barnett, particularly when she sings lead track ‘Amoeba’ from her 2022 EP Husk. Photo Credit: Iain Fox The splendid Cat Clyde follows. Her third album Down Rounder was releas ..read more

The show may be sans the Second Hand Orchestra that has accompanied Scottish folk troubadour James Yorkston and Swedish icon Nina Persson on the tour so far, but this contributes to a gently serene evening full of incredible rolling ‘R’s’ and tumbling grandfathers and the intimacy of the venue enhances this ambience. The evening begins with James on keys and songs like ‘A Sweetness in You’, dedicated to his friend Scott Hutchison, and ‘An Upturned Crab’ generate a wonderfully mellow yet sombre aesthetic which is complimented by Nina’s clement harmonies. ‘Pieter Paulo van der Heyden’ tampers wi ..read more

Last Friday night, Gregory Alan Isakov took the stage with his incredible band in Brooklyn NYC and performed a powerful set to the sold-out Brooklyn Steel audience. He began the night with “Southern Star”, from the latest album Evening Machines, which featured some succinct and aggressive rhythmic guitar strumming. Sticking with songs from the latest record, next came the fan favorite sing along “San Luis” which features some poetic lyrics with vivid imagery. “Master & A Hound”, from his second full-length release This Empty Northern Hemisphere, is always special to hear live as the song i ..read more

Although the critical success of Margo Price’s first two albums was undeniable, the records were perhaps too niche to guarantee chart-busting commercial success. On her third record she appeared to aim for a direction that would appeal to a broader audience, resulting in a more refined, polished experience. It was an enjoyable record but it felt like Price was being to philanthropic. Latest record Strays seems more autonomous. It exists because Margo Price wanted it to. This results in a release that turns on a dime at every opportunity. The feisty opener ‘Been To The Mountain’ and its non-co ..read more

As we say goodbye to 2022, it gives us time to reflect on a pretty tumultuous year. An awful lot of shit went down over the past twelve months! But in the world of music at least, there were some moments of joy that we could cling on to, during both the gleeful and triumphant times, as well as the frustrating and down-right miserable times. The return of Glastonbury and other glorious music festivals brought us together again across the land, postponed tours from some of our favourite artists finally went a head, and a host of glorious new records dropped, bringing us some beautiful opportunit ..read more