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Devin Hoff: Voices from the Empty Moor review – stellar lineup for the twists of Anne Briggs

The experimentally minded bassist and star guests including Sharon Van Etten and Julia Holter create these unusual reimaginings, though the vocals don’t always suit Briggs’s songs

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss: Raise the Roof review – uplifting and enthralling

From blue-eyed soul to English folk, the unlikely dream team’s second instalment of covers is a welcome dose of musical reassurance

Doran: Doran review – magical ‘freak folk’ with a centuries-old sound

Elizabeth LaPrelle of Anna & Elizabeth anchors the four-piece behind this comforting, intimate album of a cappella harmonies and Appalachian ballads

Various artists: In the Echo – Field Recordings from Earlsfort Terrace review – a venue enlivened by song

Recording for the 150th anniversary of Dublin’s National Concert Hall, a stellar roster of Irish musicians turn out treasures old and new

Quantic and Nidia Góngora: Almas Conectadas review – Colombian gold-panners go orchestral

Pacific coast cantora Góngora’s nature-rooted compositions are given larger dimensions by British electronica producer Quantic

Broadside Hacks: Songs Without Authors Vol 1 review – contemporary artists tinker with tradition

The folk project led by Sorry’s Campbell Baum offers new takes on anonymously composed tunes, with varying success

BBCSSO/Volkov/ Kopatchinskaja review – Bartók’s roots unearthed with brilliance

The band Folktone cleverly swapped notes with Patricia Kopatchinskaja before the violinist whipped up a joyous musical whirlwind of Bartók and Ligeti

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

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  • Julieth Lozano Rolong – Alma: Ibero-American Songs album review – Colombian soprano’s captivating debut
  • Jim Legxacy: Black British Music review – London iconoclast catalyses chaos into a major mixtape
  • Wireless festival review – Drake’s disjointed three-night headline run smacks of desperation
  • Salome review – a frankly astonishing concert performance
  • Justin Bieber: Swag review – inane lyrics undermine a gorgeously produced R&B passion project
  • Carmen review – feminist take on opera’s notorious femme fatale has swagger and style
  • Recital for a World Gone to Sh*t review – full-throttle fury meets beautiful, blistering verse
  • Kokoroko: Tuff Times Never Last review – ruminative jazz outfit get stuck in a relaxed rut
  • Phase Space: Degrees of Freedom review – improvisation knocks ambient tracks pleasingly off-kilter
  • Bless Me Father by Kevin Rowland review – the Dexys Midnight Runners frontman tells all
  • Schubert: Piano Sonata in A major, D959; Moments Musicaux album review – grandeur and grace from Steven Osborne
  • Steve Reich: Jacob’s Ladder; Traveler’s Prayer album review – at nearly 90, he’s as energetic as ever
  • Clipse: Let God Sort Em Out review – reunited rap greats deliver one of the albums of the year
  • Blackhaine: And Now I Know What Love Is review – avant garde dance that grabs hold of your senses
  • Kendrick Lamar & SZA review – a pyrotechnic party of dark and light
  • Wet Leg: Moisturizer review – Doritos, Davina McCall and dumb fun from British indie’s big breakout band
  • Ed Sheeran’s Pollock homage has energy but no feeling or truth
  • Cover Her / Scenes from Under Milk Wood reviews – music for an unsettlingly vivid torture scene
  • Billie Eilish review – pop’s sharpest commentator plays with fame’s power dynamics
  • Stevie Wonder review – a riotously joyful celebration
  • Le Nozze di Figaro review – astute period staging of Mozart’s masterpiece is as poignant as it is funny
  • Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne: Back to the Beginning review – all-star farewell to the gods of metal is epic and emotional
  • Oasis review – a shameless trip back to the 90s for Britpop’s loudest, greatest songs
  • Adès, Leith, Marsey: Orchestral Works album review – an impressive collection marks a productive association
  • Slayer review – spectacle, gore, mayhem and some of metal’s greatest songs
  • Shostakovich: Preludes & Fugues Op 87 album review – Avdeeva brings a light touch in an accomplished performance
  • Daytimers: Alterations review – Bollywood classics remixed for today’s dancefloors
  • Kesha: . (Period) review – a smart, funny return to her hedonistic hot-mess persona
  • Pelléas et Mélisande review – Longborough’s staging is accomplished and atmospheric

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