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folk Articles

Album: Laura Marling – Semper Femina

Rebekah Shaw on Laura Marling’s mature and emotional exploration of feminine experience, identity and the problems with love

Chuck Berry: Rock and Roll pioneer

In his memory, Tara Bharadia looks over the career and impact of the groundbreaking songwriter

Feature: In conversation with Laura Marling

Rebekah Shaw speaks to Laura Marling about femininity, creative production, and moving on from LA at the folk musician’s first student conference

Interview: Stornoway

On the eve of their farewell tour, Christian Hurry speaks to the beloved folk-pop group about their career highlights and future trajectories

Tracks of the Week: 13th February

Death, aging and loss: grim subject matters make for compelling songs in a strong week for new music

Record Reappraisal: Indigo Girls – Rites of Passage

Elizabeth Gibson celebrates Indigo Girls’ joyous, adventurous fourth album and their remarkable career

Tracks of the week: 16th January

Geographical metaphors abound in a strong selection of tracks released in the last week, by Joe Casson

Record Reappraisal: Belle & Sebastian – If You’re Feeling Sinister

Twenty years on, head music editor Joe Casson revisits the Glaswegian indie darlings’ high watermark, a singular work of delicate loneliness and wry observation that demands your devotion

Live: Matthew Whitaker

Matthew Whitaker’s album launch may have lacked a defining artistic sound but the potential shown was undeniable, writes Liam Killeen

Fish Out Of Water: Listening to Leonard Cohen

From an outsider’s perspective, Jacob Hopkins familiarises himself with the discography of the late, great songwriter

Live: Scott Fagan

Rediscovered folk artist Scott Fagan plays at the Deaf Institute, making Oscar Talbot wonder how he was ever forgotten in the first place

Live: Daughter

Daughter went bigger, but was it better? Daughter confidently take a step towards rock in their show at the Academy, writes Rebekah Shaw

Live: Arab Strap

After ten years out in the cold, Arab Strap’s comprehensive reunion show retains everything that made them great the first time around, writes Joe Casson

Album: Bon Iver – 22, A Million

Bon Iver’s third LP challenges every preconception about the artist, but comes off all the better for it, writes Callum Oliver

Album: Angel Olsen – My Woman

Angel Olsen’s new album arrives as a fully-formed classic, writes Cassie Hyde

Live: Half Moon Run

More fun live than on record, showing a flair for the dramatic. Get a better producer, Rebekah Shaw tells Half Moon Run.

Live: Katzenjammer

Norwegian folk rock four-piece Katzenjammer bring their manic energy to Manchester

Live: Lucy Rose

Lucy Rose played a pitch perfect set but just fails to ignite the crowd

Interview: Eliza And The Bear

They may be more comfortable in a live environment, but Eliza And The Bear have the confidence and chemistry to suggest that a stratospheric debut beckons

Live: Hey Rosetta!

Hey Rosetta!’s massive sound can’t and shouldn’t be held within the confines of Sound Control