folktronica | World Music Central

Antti Paalanen - Photo by Kimmo Kansala. Paalanen playing accordion in a field.

Artist Profiles

Bellows To The Metal: Antti Paalanen’s Breathbox Revolution

(headline image: Antti Paalanen – Photo by Kimmo Kansala) Antti Paalanen, born in 1977 and raised in Southern Ostrobothnia’s pelimanni heartland, builds a roaring engine…

Sutartronica - Photo by Donatas Petkevicius. The four artists wearing robes in a field.

Artist Profiles

Sutartronica’s electrified bridge between Lithuania’s past and future

Angel Romero September 19, 2025 No Comments folktronica Lithuanian music Sutartronica world music

Sutartronica is a Lithuanian band that provides an electrified bridge between past and future. Once known as Elektroninės Sutartinės, the ensemble has carved a niche…

The album cover for Brìghde Chaimbeul – Sunwise features a windswept coastal landscape with four figures walking in a large, faintly traced circle on a barren, grassy plateau.

Charts

Brighde Chaimbeul Ascends to the Top of World Music Charts Europe for August 2025

World Music Central News Room August 2, 2025 No Comments Brighde Chaimbeul Celtic music folktronica world music

The album Sunwise by piper Brighde Chaimbeul has claimed the number one position of the World Music Charts Europe for the month of August 2025.…

This album cover for Tondini Plays Mostar Sevdah Reunion (Disko 088) features a dark, grainy aesthetic with retro neon typography. “Tondini” appears prominently in electric blue script, flanked by pink cursive for “Mostar Sevdah Reunion” and “Disko 088.” The word “Plays” is centered in small block letters. A shadowy, partially obscured figure in sunglasses stands in the background.

Album reviews

Tondini Reimagines Bosnian sevdah songs through a disco-infused electronic dance music

Angel Romero July 13, 2025 No Comments Bosnian music electronic dance music folktronica global electronica sevdah Tondini world fusion world music

Tondini – Tondini plays Mostar Sevdah Reunion – Disko 088 (Snail Records, 2025) Electronic producer Tondini presents Disko 088, a collaborative, joyful and hip-shaking concept…

The album cover for Cushla's Tech-Duinn features a figure draped in a voluminous, golden-yellow, embroidered cloak adorned with floral patterns. The figure wears an ornate, medieval-style helmet topped with an extravagant black sculptural plume, while a black mask conceals the face. Set against a muted gray background.

Album reviews

Celtic Crossfade: Cushla Fuses Myth and Machine on Tech Duinn

Angel Romero June 17, 2025 No Comments Celtic music Cushla folktronica global electronica world fusion world music

Cushla – Tech Duinn (Foehn Records, 2025) Cushla’s debut album Tech Duinn expands on the groundbreaking sound introduced in their singles “Ar Casa” and “The…

The single cover for Bloom by Valtos & Elephant Sessions features neon-toned cherry blossoms in shades of pink, blue, and purple set against a stark black background. The title “Bloom” is centered in white serif type, with the artists' names subtly placed above it.

Music videos

Valtos and Elephant Sessions Reunite for a Summer Anthem

World Music Central News Room June 16, 2025 No Comments Celtic music Elephant Sessions folktronica Scottish music Valtos world fusion world music

Valtos, the Skye-based electronic duo Martyn MacDonald and Daniel Docherty, reunite with Highland folk-fusion group Elephant Sessions on the single “Bloom.” Following the success of…

Album reviews

Drumming Up Innovation: Digital Ngoma Vol. 2 Bridges Mayotte’s Past and Future

Angel Romero May 3, 2025 No Comments afrohouse bass music Digital Ngoma folktronica global electronica Mayotte world fusion world music

Various Artists – Digital Ngoma Vol. 2 (Kayamba Records, 2025) The second installment of Digital Ngoma, released by Kayamba Records, continues to explore the intersection…

The album cover for Ithaca by Lullahush features a close-up photograph of tangled seaweed in various shades of brown, black, and translucent white. In the bottom left corner, the album title Ithaca and artist name Lullahush are displayed in a stylized Celtic-inspired font, framed by an intricate knotwork design.

Album reviews

Homeward Sound: Lullahush Reimagines Irish Tradition in “Ithaca”

Ryan Emmert April 4, 2025 No Comments Celtic music folktronica Lullahush world fusion world music

Lullahush – Ithaca (Future Classic, 2025) Athens-based Dublin artist Lullahush is set to release Ithaca, his new album, on April 11, 2025. The record meshes…

Music videos

Reel Innovation: Lullahush Mixes Irish Tradition and Tech

World Music Central News Room March 16, 2025 No Comments Celtic music Daniel McIntyre folktronica Lullahush world fusion world music

Lullahush (Daniel McIntyre) introduces his upcoming album Ithaca with “Maggie na bhFlaitheas” (“Maggie of the Heavens”), a track that transforms the traditional Irish reel “Over…

The album cover for Koyo by Zar Electrik features a fusion of futuristic cybernetics and organic elements. At its center is a humanoid figure with a dark metallic face, intricate circuitry, and glowing golden eyes. A red hat, adorned with a delicate golden chain, sits atop the figure's head. One side of the head is partially overtaken by a small bonsai-like tree. A thick, golden snake coils around the figure’s neck. The typography is bold and futuristic, with the album title written in stylized yellow Arabic script intertwined with geometric red and yellow lines.

Album reviews

Electric Healing: Zar Electrik’s Electro-World Innovation

Angel Romero March 15, 2025 No Comments Arabic music electro-world folktronica global electronica Gnawa world fusion world music

Zar Electrik – Koyo (Jarring Effects Label & Lamastrock, 2025) After gaining recognition with their debut EP Hawa, an extensive international tour, and a recorded…