Album reviews | World Music Central

The album cover for Subtropical by Cocoa Thrill features mirrored black-and-white cactus silhouettes arranged symmetrically against a teal background. The title appears in yellow lowercase serif font at the center, with the artist’s name in smaller yellow type at the bottom.

Album reviews

From Salento to Santiago: A Transcontinental Musical Bridge

Cocoa Thrill – Subtropical (Linfa, 2025) Cocoa Thrill, an instrumental quintet based in Apulia, Italy, explores global rhythms through a distinctly Southern lens on their…

Album reviews

Mountain Echoes, Village Voices: Ravnogorski Biseri Bring Ravnogor to Life

JGurski August 17, 2025 No Comments Bulgarian music kaba gaida Ravnogor Ravnogorski Biseri Rhodope Mountains world music

Ravnogorski Biseri – Images from Ravnogor (Aide Aide Music & Dance, 2025) Images from Ravnogor offers an unfiltered window into the traditional music of southern…

The album cover for Zhenya Wind's The Earth is Moving resembles a hand-painted folk illustration. At the center, Zhenya Wind appears barefoot, dressed in flowing traditional attire, raising an arm toward the sky. Three fiery, birdlike creatures soar above, evoking mythological firebirds. Behind her, the landscape rolls with green hills, birch trees, a wooden cabin, and distant golden onion domes, all bathed in the glow of a rising or setting sun. The ornate border is decorated with mushrooms, plants, and intricate folk motifs.

Album reviews

The Earth Moves with Zhenya Wind’s Fourth Album

Daryana Antipova August 16, 2025 No Comments Russian folk music world music Zhenya Wind

Zhenya Wind — The Earth is Moving (Self-released, 2025) In her fourth album, The Earth is Moving, St. Petersburg’s multi-genre artist Zhenya Wind steps fully…

The album cover for Vari (The Live Sessions) features an illustration of a grand arched doorway in muted tones of teal, brick red, and navy. A black chandelier hangs from above, with leafy vines and tropical plants. The title appears at the bottom in yellow and white type.

Album reviews

Variations on a Theme: Varijashree Reimagines Her Musical Identity Live in Bengaluru

Angel Romero August 12, 2025 No Comments Indian classical music Vari Varijashree Venugopal world fusion world music

Varijashree – Vari (The Live Sessions) (GroundUp Music, 2025) Vari (The Live Sessions) reframes vocalist and composer Varijashree Venugopal’s 2023 studio album Vari through a…

The cover of The Crossing by Kevin Ricard features a group of people walking, with only their legs and feet visible. Their clothing is colorful, and they carry various items like bags and baskets. The title appears in bold, distressed lettering at the top, partially obscuring the figures, while the artist's name is in a simple, spaced-out font at the bottom. The muted olive-green background contrasts with the movement of the subjects.

Album reviews

Kevin Ricard Takes the Lead on The Crossing

Angel Romero August 11, 2025 No Comments Brazilian music Cuban music Kevin Ricard Malian music Moroccan music percussion world fusion world music

Kevin Ricard – The Crossing (Roots of Rhythm Recordings, 2025) Veteran percussionist Kevin Ricard steps into the spotlight and directs the traffic of rhythm with…

The album cover for Pastorale by East of West with Romano Crivici features a circular, earth-toned landscape painting by John Wright. Subtle white line patterns overlay the image.

Album reviews

East Of West Collaborates With Romano Crivici On New Album Pastorale

Tyler Bennet August 10, 2025 No Comments East of West world fusion world music

East of West – Pastorale (4000 Records, 2025) Instrumental trio East of West returns with Pastorale, their third studio album and a first-time collaboration with…

Kadialy Kouyate – Toña cover artwork. A photo of Kadialy Kouyate holding a kora.

Album reviews

Kadialy Kouyate’s “Toña” Balances Heritage, Healing, and Innovation

Angel Romero August 9, 2025 No Comments Kadialy Kouyate world music

Kadialy Kouyate – Toña (ARC Music, 2025) Senegalese kora player, singer, and composer Kadialy Kouyate returns with Toña, his ninth album and perhaps his most…

The cover of Cantes transatlánticos by Luca Vaillancourt y Los Pescadores features a simple fish in orange, blue, and red, suspended below a large black fishing hook against a cream background. The title on the upper left and artist name on the right.

Album reviews

Luca Vaillancourt Connects Atlantic Shores with Cantes transatlánticos

Iliana Cabrera August 8, 2025 No Comments Luca Vaillancourt Luxembourg Luzemberger music Spanish music world fusion world music

Luca Vaillancourt y Los Pescadores – Cantes transatlánticos (Luca Vaillancourt de Dios, 2025) Luca Vaillancourt y Los Pescadores (Luca Vaillancourt and the Fishermen) make their…

Album reviews

Vowel Play: Florence Adooni’s ‘A.O.E.I.U.’ Hits All the Right Notes

Angel Romero August 7, 2025 No Comments Ghana Ghanaian music Highlife world music

Florence Adooni – A.O.E.I.U. (Philophon, 2025) Gifted Ghanaian singer Florence Adooni has released her first international album, A.O.E.I.U. (An Ordinary Exercise In Unity), via Philophon.…

Mahotella Queens - Buya Buya: Come Back cover artwork. A photo of the three singers in traditional clothes over a yellow background.

Album reviews

Mahotella Queens Make a Majestic Return

Tyler Bennet August 6, 2025 No Comments Mahotella Queens mbaqanga South Africa South African music world music

Mahotella Queens – Buya Buya: Come Back (Umsakazo Records, 2025) After nearly two decades without original material, South Africa’s iconic mbaqanga group the Mahotella Queens…