On Tuesday 7 May the Official Charts Company in partnership with English Folk Expo revealed the Top 40 best-selling and most streamed folk albums released in the April reporting period in the UK by UK and Irish artists. The chart is first announced to the public at 7pm GMT as part of the Official Folk Albums Chart Show presented by Folk on Foot via their YouTube channel.
There are 8 new releases in the April chart, including a new no. 1 and no. 2.
In at no. 1 is You Promised A Lifetime (RCA) by Myles Smith, which delivers on the meteoric popularity of the singer/songwriter’s viral singles Solo and My Home. Over the last year, Smith’s profile has sky-rocketed and this compelling collection of songs beautifully blends folk, Americana and pop stylings to winning effect.
New at no.2 is Martin Simpson’s Skydancers (Topic), his 12th full length solo record for Topic since 1992. Hot on the heels of last year’s guest-packed collaboration, Nothing But Green Willow: The Songs of Mary Sands and Jane Gentry, Skydancers features another star ensemble. The title track commissioned by TV presenter and naturalist, Chris Packham, highlights the plight of the endangered Hen Harrier.
No. 5 is Live at Minack Theatre (Rough Trade) by This Is The Kit. Recorded as part of a double header at the famous open-air amphitheatre on the edge of a Cornish cliff face, this epic release features a three-piece horn section and includes choice cuts from the band’s last three critically acclaimed albums.
There’s a party in Dana Gavanski’s head and everyone’s invited – well, kind of. Late Slap (Full Time Hobby), Gavanski’s third album lands at no. 11 and gives voice to the highs and lows of the mindscape with all its joys and terrors.
Phil Odgers of legendary folk-punk band The Men They Couldn’t Hang and John Kettle, guitarist and songwriter for folk-rockers Merry Hell present Far Rockaway – The Songs of Phil Ochs (Vinyl Star), which comes straight in at no. 30. The record is a tribute to the influential 60/70s’ songwriter’s artistry.
No. 32 is Pomegranate (Shoelay Music), the third album by India Electric Co. Recorded during the midst of the covid pandemic, India Electric Co. present an album conceived in the heart of the West Country describing a life very much in motion whilst in the grips of standing still.
Daisy Rickman’s sophomore release Howl (Daisy Rickman) comes in at no. 33. A homage to the sun, the stars and explorations of the cycles both within us and throughout the turning wheel of the year, KLOF Mag’s Thomas Blake calls it, “an ancient pastoral dream of an album full of contemporary resonances.”
Acclaimed double bassist, singer, arranger and composer Ben Nicholls rounds off our chart with Duets (Hudson Records) at no. 40. Featuring many of the artists he has accompanied over his 30-year career, such as Nadine Shah, Jon Boden, John Smith and Cara Dillon, the record brings his exceptional upright bass playing to the fore.
The full Top 40 list can be viewed HERE
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