Rebecca Hill and Charlie Stewart - Glas

Folk duos often run the risk of falling into well-trodden, polite pastoralism, but Rebecca Hill and Charlie Stewart are not interested in mere museum-piece heritage. Following their Bright Young Folk Reader’s Choice Award shortlisted 2023 debut, Thawcrook, the Scottish lever harpist and fiddle player return with Glas (a Gaelic word for the shade between green and grey, and a nod to their Glasgow base)-an album that treats traditional forms as living, breathing clay.

What sets this second effort apart is its expanded sonic landscape. For the first time, the core duo open up their intimate conversation to guest musicians and additional instrumentation. For instance, Cahalen Morrison lends his warm vocal and banjo blanket to Pretty Fair Maid, while saxophonist Norman Willmore injects a surprisingly modern, lingering pulse into Mo Roghainn ’S mo Rùn.

Elsewhere, Hill’s harp work remains wonderfully energetic, blurring the line between acoustic plucked motifs and minimalist piano, while Stewart brings a restless depth on fiddle and octave fiddle. Standout instrumental tracks like Running the Cross and Scott and Emma’s showcase their dynamic architecture, unfolding with quiet tension before spiralling into interlocking rhythmic runs.

In an era where many contemporary folk acts wrestle with balancing roots and modern soundscapes, Glas stands out for its serene confidence and organic bite. Hill and Stewart have crafted a work of intimate, luminous beauty that confirms them as two of the most compelling voices in the contemporary traditional music scene of these isles.