The follow up from The Lost Trades to their award-winning debut, which spent 8 months in the Official UK Folk Albums Chart. Petrichor should match its success.

Release date:   10th March 2023

Label: Self Release (Bandcamp)

Format: Digital / CD

In the wake of the sad loss of David Crosby, this album could pay a superb tribute to him although that clearly wasn’t the intention. More a happy accident. Like The Lost Trades’ debut album,  The Bird, The Book And The Barrel, their harmonies are reminiscent of Crosby, Stills and Nash. This is particularly evident in the opener Old Man Of The Sea. Although the melancholic sound has an  American West Coast feeling, the overall warmth you feel is uniquely that of The Lost Trades.

Including the other singles Daffodils, Keep My Feet Dry and Long Since Gone, this collection of songs will please those already familiar with their mellow and luscious style. Those who haven’t, but enjoy exploring the wide variety of new sounds modern folk produces, will appreciate not only this new release but earlier material too. The sweet-tempered songs are accompanied by an uncluttered combination of gentle acoustic guitar and delicate percussion.

The lyrics to the title song Petrichor are full of images of experiencing the fresh seasonal scent and sounds, looking forward to the future yet building on the past. By contrast, there are some more mournful songs, with This Dark Forest acting as a metaphor for confusion and uncertainty.

You can appreciate these songs as merely pleasant wonderfully harmonised tunes. Still, they are deserving of a deeper dive as lay hidden are deeper thought-provoking messages as in Under The Hornbeam and The Blackbird. The acapella Valhalla encourages us to be optimistic for the future but the answer won’t be found in the oppressive media but in valuing things that are real both human and in nature. An apt end to this delightful collection of songs.

The spring release is perfect as the theme of starting anew in some songs coincide with the season when we focus on renewal and hope. A perfect soundtrack to welcome the Spring in the company of The Lost Trades as they head out on a national tour – check the website for details.

Here’s Old Man Of The Sea which we’re told: “is an emotional and personal obituary written in memoriam for a late family member, laced with the band’s trademark harmonies, and dotted with thoughtful lyrics which the band hopes can offer comfort to anyone mourning a loss.“

The Lost Trades online: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Bandcamp

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