Róis: Mo Léan review – ancient keening songs filled with startling new life
Singer Rose Connolly expands the pre-Christian Irish grieving tradition with synthesisers, distortion and drone in an arresting set
Leon Bridges: Leon review – deliciously soulful confection with added country
(Columbia)The musician’s emotional fourth album borrows liberally from the past but the themes are modern and the sound utterly timeless
Willie Watson: Willie Watson review – a former hell-raiser finds his voice
Known for his versions of old American folk, the singer finally puts his extraordinary voice at the service of his own material
Mustafa: Dunya review – poet’s songwriting is a little too beautiful for its own good
The multitalented Canadian renders his subtle songs in tasteful autumnal shades – but could have benefitted from more head-turning numbers such as Gaza Is Calling
The Rheingans Sisters: Start Close In review – a radical leap into darkness
With their golden voices, fertile soundworlds and evocative influences from across Europe, the Sheffield duo’s fifth album is admirably confrontational
Astrid Williamson: Shetland Suite review – a beautiful enchantment
The Scottish musician pays tribute to her homeland and her late mother with this powerfully moving set
Supersonic festival review – an awesome windmill of noise and connection
This festival of heavier sounds from the fringes was a blast, from chilling Gazelle Twin to Daisy Rickman’s Krautrock-folk, noise icons Melt-Banana and locals Flesh Creep
Nuala Kennedy and Eamon O’Leary: Hydra review – sumptuous folk songs
With guests including Will Oldham and Anaïs Mitchell, this record’s island setting seems to bring extra light and warmth to stories of the sea, love, work, war and migration
Maestros in Fusion review – virtuosic Indian ensemble knit two traditions together
Six supremely talented jazz and classical instrumentalists, whose humility belies their mastery, all show how malleable and moving their music can be
Womad festival review – wildly entertaining treasure trove for adventurous music fans
Radically inclusive global lineup includes Sampa the Great’s feminist pizzazz, Young Fathers’ twisted genre-splicing and Bixiga 70’s full-tent conga
Raphael Rogiński: Žaltys review – hypnotic eastern European folk
This searching, soulful release conjures up the spirit of summers spent by the lake and in the forest
Peiriant: Dychwelyd review – iridescent soundscapes summon spirit of the mountains
Violinist Rose Linn-Pearl and sound artist husband Dan weave their artistry into a vivid collection evoking the natural wonders of their Welsh home
The Zawose Queens: Maisha review – vocal power and family stories
Pendo and Leah, daughter and granddaughter of Tanzanian musician Hukwe Zawose, use mesmerising thumb piano and shifting polyphony to create stirring songs
Richard Thompson: Ship to Shore review – another collection of beautifully gruelling material
Life gives more grist to the mill of the veteran singer-songwriter, whose guitar playing remains as eloquent as ever
Landless: Lúireach review – fans of Celtic music should flock to this stunning sound
Four powerful voices weave tender yet disquieting harmonies on a second album that honours bold women