Rura
Album: Despite The Dark
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 9
Website: http://www.rura.co.uk

Listening to album number two from Edinburgh/Glasgow based youngsters Rura is almost akin to having two separate albums on shuffle. Produced by Ali Hutton of the Treacherous Orchestra, there's a definite feel of the Celtic tradition running throughout the record but on the flipside the band on occasion turn their hand to anthemic crooners that would equally be at home in indie venues as they would folk clubs.

In fairness this mix of distinctive styles never once detracts from the feel and flow of what is in essence a very good progressive folk record. Of the traditional tunes 'The Lowground' is a delicate and at times lilting that is effortlessly Celtic in nature but not militantly so while opening track 'Dark Reel' is a pipes led stomper not a million miles away from the aforementioned Treacherous Orchestra. In all cases the tunes and sets are tighter than tight and incredibly proficient, enabling them to rise way above the line marked average.

It's on the vocal laden songs where Rura really stand apart from the current crop of Scottish folk acts though. In vocalist Adam Holmes, Rura possess a genuine stand-out talent who's voice is as rich as it is earthy. 'Weary Days' is a borderline heartbreaker as Holmes croons "when these weary days, when these days are through/I'll be working my way back to you" all the while underpinned by Jack Smedley's sublime fiddle and the subtlest hint of electro percussion. It's genuinely stirring stuff and forms a direct connection between traditional fare, for which the band is most renowned, and glut of fantastic Scottish indie bands we're currently blessed with such as Admiral Fallow and Frightened Rabbit.

It's not often that the traditional folk world spits out an act with genuine crossover potential but there's something very exciting about Rura that could put them on the stages and stereos way beyond the established strongholds of traditional music. 'Despite The Dark' is a rare triumph and one worthy of wide appeal.

Rob Fearnley