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
Richard Thompson review – a showcase for decades of exquisite craft
In a sublime concert full of banter, storytelling and guitar virtuosity, the 75-year-old surrenders himself completely to each moment
Kaia Kater: Strange Medicine review – Canadian banjo virtuoso packs a powerful punch
The Canadian-Grenadian singer-songwriter’s phenomenal playing underscores strongly personal and political themes on her superb fourth album
Sean Khan: Sean Khan Presents the Modern Jazz and Folk Ensemble review – classics reinvigorated
A collective of genre-straddling talents give new life to songs by Nick Drake, John Martyn and Sandy Denny
Goblin Band: Come Slack Your Horse! review – rowdy, flamboyant folk
Born out of a London musical instruments shop where members worked, the Paul McCartney-approved band’s first EP is eager and theatrical, sometimes to a fault
Jess Ribeiro: Summer of Love review – a balm for anxious times
With expansive, experimental instrumentation, the Melbourne musician’s fourth album records our contemporary chaos – and finds a glimmer of hope
Fran & Flora: Precious Collection review – strings, shimmer and siren song whip up a desirous mood
This spirited adventure in the avant garde is as experimental as it is accessible, delving into hot-blooded Sirba and Transylvanian epics
Julie Abbé: Out of the Ashes review – a beautiful expression of the grieving process
The UK-based French folk singer embellishes her trad leanings with sultry blues and upbeat swing on a poignant and poetic second album
Sam Lee: songdreaming review – a moving tribute to Albion’s troubled soul
Disquiet pervades the folk singer’s self-written fourth album, with romantic love and awe of nature holding out against ecological collapse
Kacey Musgraves: Deeper Well review – folk-pop that’s high on life and pure as mountain air
The crossover star’s sixth album opens with a spectacular one-two of the most beautiful songs you’ll hear all year – but the loved-up mood and back-to-nature wonder becomes twee
Various artists: Africatown, AL: Ancestor Sounds review – music that defies the darkest of pasts
From blues to industrial and rap, these extraordinary recordings showcase the community of descendants of the last slavers’ ship to the US