Folk legend Seth Lakeman has been at the forefront of the genre since the release of his debut album ‘The Punch Bowl’ in 2002. Since then he’s consistently received critical acclaim for his releases and established himself as a must-see artist on the live circuit. Lakeman’s last studio album, ‘Make Your Mark’, was released in 2021 and four years on, he’s back with brand new album ‘The Granite Way’, ahead of his latest headline UK tour.
All 13 of the tracks of ‘The Granite Way’ were written and produced by Lakeman and recorded with the band that he’ll be heading out on tour with next week. The songs on the album have drawn inspiration from nature, as has long been Lakeman’s muse, rooted in West Country folklore. With hope running through the record, ‘The Granite Way’ is an upbeat collection that continues to solidify Lakeman’s legacy. Opening with the foot-stomping ‘Louisa’ is a strong start, setting out Lakeman’s intention and suitably drawing you into the record.
The reflective ‘One More Before You Go’ celebrates love and happiness, dialling down the instrumentation to allow Lakeman’s word to ring out. The song builds towards an instrumental outro that is sure to become a highlight of his live set. The tightness of Lakeman and his band is impressive, and the energy radiates from the speakers. ‘Charlotte Dymond’ tells the dark tale of the murder of a woman, delivered in Lakeman’s usual enticing way while ‘The Black Fox’ brings the tempo back up, capturing the energy of a fox hunt.
‘Slow Down’, which is at the mid-point of the album, is one of the strongest songs. With a sparser arrangement accompanying Lakeman’s commanding voice, he’s able to shine and the spotlight falls solely on his abilities as a storyteller. Commenting on the fast-paced nature of life and the world, the song is a timely reminder that we need to appreciate things rather than rush from one thing to the next. Other highlights on the record include the optimistic ‘Come and Go’, where Lakeman explores new beginnings, and closing track ‘Roll Back the Years’, a moody moment capturing an older woman mourning the loss of her father.
‘The Granite Way’ is another cohesive collection from Lakeman. He’s established himself as a folk pioneer for a reason and there’s no one else in music like him. At a time when songs are struggling to pass the two-minute mark and artists are writing music for TikTok, it’s refreshing to have an artist like Lakeman that allows his music to breathe. The richness of his storytelling is unparalled and he’s an artist that should be treasured and celebrated. ‘The Granite Way’ could be one of his strongest albums yet!
Track list: 1. Louisa 2. One More Before You Go 3. Charlotte Dymond 4. The Black Fox 5. The Huntsman and the Moon 6. The Gallows Tree 7. Slow Down 8. Come and Go 9. Born to the Strain 10. Roll Back the Years Record label: Honour Oak Records Release date: 14th February 2025 Buy ‘The Granite Way’ now
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