Songlines

Songlines is the definitive magazine for world music – music that has its roots in all parts of the globe, from Mali to Mexico, India to Iraq. Whether this music is defined as traditional, contemporary, folk or fusion, Songlines is the only publication to truly represent and embrace it. However, Songlines is not just about music, but about how the music fits into the landscape; it’s about politics, history and identity, and the artists who incite change through their music. Through its extensive articles and reviews, Songlines is your essential guide to an extraordinary world of music and culture, whether you are starting on your journey of discovery or are already a seasoned fan.

Songlines

Reflections and resolutions

CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE INCLUDE

Give the gift of music this Christmas • 5 issues for £20.63 10 issues for £41.25

TOP OF THE WORLD • On your free CD – the editor’s selection of the top ten new releases reviewed in this issue

IRELAND’S TRIUMPHANT FOLKIES

Mexico’s first female-run record label • Views, news and events from around the world

NEW RELEASES • Here are some new releases we’re looking forward to. Read the reviews in the next issue

Souleyman released

Music fit for a king

Norientalism

Grammy glory

Back in the Round

The great vinyl shortage

Podcast corner

World music’s new hall of fame

SONGLINES MUSIC AWARDS 2022 • Vote now for your chance to win WOMAD UK tickets

FOLK FOCUS • What’s happening in the folk world

SONGLINES MUSIC AWARDS 2021 • The Songlines Music Awards 2021 was another all-virtual affair, letting viewers cosy up to some great music in the comfort of their own homes. Nigel Williamson tuned in to catch the celebrations

Barbora Xu • The Czech artist tells Simon Broughton about the Finnish and Chinese zithers feeding her distinctive sound, which bridges two seemingly disparate cultures

Auka • Rachel Cunniffe speaks with the Sheffield-based trio who used their lockdown isolation to fashion a striking homage to the natural world

SIMON SAYS… • A religious musical for a new generation? Simon Broughton gives his verdict on the stage show about the Persian poet Rumi

FEEDBACK • Letters, shout-outs, comments, tweets, emails and everything in between Get in touch – we’d love to hear from you!

The Best Albums of 2021 • It’s the most wonderful time of the year: when we round up our favourite releases from the previous 12 months. Editors Simon Broughton and Alexandra Petropoulos look back at the best music of 2021

SMALL ISLAND BIG SONG • Jane Cornwell speaks with Tim Cole and BaoBao Chen, the producers of the Indo-Pacific collective Small Island Big Song, about their second project, which focuses on our troublesome relationship with nature

ECLECTIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA • Tim Cumming catches up with the Spell Songs collective who are casting their illuminating charms on a world in need of a little magic

Karaite Kid • Having recorded albums in Yiddish and Tatar, and songs in most of Poland’s minority languages, Karolina Cicha talks about the Karaite people and their language to Simon Broughton

GUANTANAMO JOY • While the world celebrated the anniversary of Buena Vista Social Club, a compilation showcasing another traditional Cuban sound, changüí, snuck under the radar. Garth Cartwright reports on this dance music from the sugarcane fields

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Reviews • We review full-length world music, roots and folk albums (not singles or EPs), available on CD, digital or vinyl. Please note we only accept...