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

The Cool of the Day

CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE INCLUDE

TOP OF THE WORLD • On this issue’s compilation – our curated selection of new music and bonus tracks from across the globe

The Sublime Orchestra • For her latest project, Colombian singer Lido Pimienta wanted to shake off the shackles of categorisation and do what nobody expected her to do

THE GLOBE AT A GLANCE

Shape Shifters • The sonically enhanced environs of Polygon Live LDN at Crystal Palace Park, London, created the perfect atmosphere for a bevy of musical icons to conjure and connect

Kasiva Mutua • It took time for the Kenyan musician to earn respect as a female percussionist, but now she’s ready to kickstart her solo career

TO THE MOON & BACK #4 • Vincent Moon visits Japan for an incendiary encounter with an enigmatic howling poet

Votia • On stewarding the legacy and importance of La Réunion’s Afro-Malagasy traditions

Two Black Books • SPINSTER to release recordings from Virginia’s prolific, little-known gospel singer-songwriter Ella Hanshaw

SOUNDCHECK • The Songlines team are currently listening to…

The 4 Corners and Centre of Moonchild Sanelly’s Universe • The South African ‘future ghetto punk’ phenomenon discusses the albums that have informed her fun, bracing and totally unique soundworld

BRIEFINGS

Greentrax Recordings • A true labour of love, Greentrax has been showcasing traditional Scottish music since 1986

QUESTION TIME • Progress is being made as the National Folklore Survey for England’s questions take shape

Abidjan, Ivory Coast • Reporting from a festival that is as much about education and outreach as ensuring audiences see some of the best music Africa has to offer for free

Songlines Encounters 2025

SIMON SAYS… • Budapest’s House of Music is holding an exhibition featuring artists from over 30 countries. Simon Broughton takes a look

Next Issue… • August 2025 (#210)

FEEDBACK • Letters, shout-outs, comments, emails and everything in between

A Conversation with MARTIN CARTHY • Kevin Bourke sits down with the English folk legend to chat about a new album marking 60 years since his debut, why it sometimes takes him so long to sing a song and to share anecdotes from his storied career

FOLK FORAGERS • The routeways to tradition, and our means of keeping those very traditions alive, are never the same. Here, we speak to five beguiling artists making ‘folk’ music in the British Isles and Ireland, with occasional stop-offs in Paris, Rajasthan, Brussels, Italy and even Ascension Island

FOLK Calendar • Spencer Grady plots out the next twelve months of folk happenings, bringing you essential festivals from across the British Isles as well as a selection of some of our most unusual cultural traditions

Taj Mahal • Nigel Williamson surveys the US musician whose career has long shown that the blues is a global musical movement

GO EAST! • Poland’s prize-winning Hajda Banda are seeking out the sounds of their country’s eastern border...