Do you like Leonard Cohen? Do you like pretty folk tunes, which sound like they are from 1896, 1973 and 2004 at the exact same time? I do, which is why this EP made me happy. These are all pastoral, organic, acoustic songs which make you want to walk about in an English field holding someone’s hand. The instrumentation is pretty basic and spares – basically a guitar, banjo, accordion, and a harmonium. All but the first track are revamped traditional folk tunes. While some English folkies take traditional songs and run with them obnoxiously, Yorkston’s arrangements are fresh, wry, and melancholy. – Matt M.

Play this song*
*1. Mid-up-tempo – this song belongs on several of my mixes. There is a banjo and harmonies. It makes me want to drive somewhere, smoking a cigarette and reflecting.
2. Down-tempo – nice.
3. Mid-up tempo – this a traditional storytelling kind of song – one of those English songs about tragedy that seem happy until you listen to the lyrics.
4. *Mid-down-tempo – sounds a bit like Drake.
5. Down-tempo – this one is a little dark, with an ominous harmonium. I think it might be about death.