Songlines

Launched in 1999, Songlines is the leading magazine covering traditional, contemporary, folk and fusion music from around the world. Each edition is packed with the latest album reviews, artist interviews, festival profiles and travel adventures from every corner of the globe. Music is about culture, politics, history and the environment and Songlines is your essential guide to it all.

If you’re new to Songlines, download our Aug/Sept 2014 issue (#102) for free. Features include an interview with Afrobeat pioneers Tony Allen & Orlando Julius, as they both celebrate 50-year careers with new albums.

There is also an interview with Scottish author, avid music consumer and vinyl addict Ian Rankin, who speaks to Jo Frost (Songlines editor) about how he’s always willing to take a punt on new music, especially if there’s a good story behind it.

Also featured in the trial issue: a feature on Israeli musician Idan Raichel and his collaboration with Malian musician Vieux Farka Touré; Malian jeli singer Kassé Mady Diabaté; and violinists Anna Phoebe and Jyotsna Srikanth. We also pick our Essential 10 Afrobeat albums that you must own, plus Chris Moss provides a Beginner’s Guide to salsa superstar Rubén Blades.

The April 2025 issue (#206) of Songlines is out now, and it features our first Japanese cover star: Ichiko Aoba. With a headline show at the Royal Albert Hall just announced, Aoba is one of music’s fastest rising stars, the world falling in love with her dreamy, fantastical, serene and sublime songs. We are also in conversation with Abel Selaocoe, the South African cellist and singer, following up his knock-out debut; speak to English improv-poet Alabaster DePlume about dealing with grief through music; report from Cambodia’s new rap scene and the censorship it faces; find out Seu Jorge’s favourite Brazilian albums; dive into the life of one of the world’s great mystics with Armenia’s Gurdjieff Ensemble; and chat to Andy Irvine, a legend of Irish trad, about his stellar career. Plus, we preview some of the most exciting albums coming out this year – from the likes of Femi Kuti, 47SOUL, Rhiannon Giddens & Justin Robinson, and Madalitso Band – and still have space for Ashley Hutchings, Amayo, Ewan MacColl, Eddie Kadi, Park Jiha, Lisa Knapp & Gerry Diver and much more. Plus, all the usual news, listings, reviews, competitions and so much more. Subscribers will also receive our accompanying compilation (CD + digital) featuring ten tracks from the best new music releases and five bonus selections to accompany the issue.