Big Red Machine: How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last? review – slightly self-indulgent supergroup

Aaron Dessner and Justin ‘Bon Iver’ Vernon recruit Taylor Swift, Fleet Foxes and more for this album full of misty autumnal beauty – and a quiet punch

Nathan Salsburg: Psalms review – a deeply felt Jewish contemplation

The musician’s study of Tehillim texts inspired beautiful melodic responses, teased out into an affecting collection with the help of many US folk friends

Lingua Ignota: Sinner Get Ready review – a devastating voice

Kristin Hayter weaves layered harmonies and folk instruments into a formidable platform from which to express her tangled relationship with Christianity

John Francis Flynn: I Would Not Live Always review – an extraordinary debut

Treasures – including a memorable take on Come My Little Son – abound on the Irish musician’s incredibly moving album of folk songs

Katherine Priddy: The Eternal Rocks Beneath review – a class act

The folk prodigy delivers an elegant debut, infused with soaring vocals and nimble guitar-picking

Kings of Convenience: Peace or Love review – a beautifully simple return

For their first album since 2009, the Norwegian duo keep things pared back to explore the complexity of love and desire

Khasi-Cymru Collective: Sai-thaiñ Ki Sur (The Weaving of Voices
) review – from Wales to India

Gareth Bonello (the Gentle Good) and musicians of the Khasi hills explore messy missionary history in this beautiful album

Future Folk: Friendly Faces; Different Spaces review – a celebration of DIY digital music-making

Intimate tracks that jumble together traditional songs and instrumentals with experimental approaches

Teyr: Estren review – a catch of fresh folk

This accomplished trio’s intricate arrangements of uilleann pipes, accordion and guitar are in a class of their own

Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi: They’re Calling Me Home review – big, beautiful laments

From lockdown in Ireland, Giddens and Turrisi range across folk traditions on exceptional covers and originals

Invisible Music by Polly Paulusma review – a vibrant celebration of Angela Carter the folkie

The novelist’s early days on the folk scene are explored on this album of songs and readings

Peggy Seeger: First Farewell review – lively, blunt and irreverent songs from folk’s first lady

This is Seeger’s final album of originals: a shame, as her take on feminism, ecology and life’s trials is witty and wicked

Ainsley Hamill: Not Just Ship Land review – glossy Scottish torch songs of strong women

Possessed of a big and intriguing voice with a touch of wildness, Hamill has real crossover potential

Guedra Guedra: Vexillology review – splicing Moroccan culture with sub-bass

Abdellah M Hassak integrates the rhythms of north African folk music with a bassline-heavy electronic pulse

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings: All the Good Times review – lockdown covers of Dylan and Prine

The pandemic hangs heavy in the long-term duo’s first album to share joint billing, and thrives when Welch leads