Albion, the band fronted by former Jethro Tull guitarist Joe Parrish-James, return with their second album which is titled It Was in the Month of May. This being the follow-up to their impressive debut album of Lakesongs of Elbid from 2024.
Whereas that debut had a heavier prog/folk/metal edge to it, here on It Was in the Month of May we have more of a “traditional” ancient Briton/medieval folky style overall yet it weaves in plenty of symphonics and meaty stuff throughout a sublimely crafted album.
Yes, it will make you think of Songs from the Wood type Jethro Tull leanings. And perhaps a bit of say Steeleye Span and And yes, those similarities are there, though Joe and his band mates do their own thing and do it very well.
If ancient Britons in their tribes living in pastoral forest villages playing their ancient instruments around midnight campfires then discovered how to electrify them, it might have sounded something like this album.
Mis Mai gets things off to a quite haunting, mystical acoustic opening with the mystical atmosphere being added to by being sung in Welsh.
The Green Knight comes next to show the heavier side of what Albion are about. A thumping piece of driving, edgy progressive folk with chunky guitars taking primacy.
Down With the Hero brings with it some more variation being a beefed up sea shanty type affair – a bit like Barrett’s Privateers is on the debut.
Eldest (Tom Bombadil) goes all Lord of the Rings starting with atmospheric flutes, acoustics and floaty vocals gradually building to an electric breakout mid-section onwards which adds the beef. Here the video:
She is the River goes back to the more traditional folk/rock style before Hymn to Elbereth adds much more of that mystical, hypnotic atmosphere.
Cherry Hill brings more classy well written proggy folk then comes the closer of Calan Mai – a spectacular ten minutes or so which has everything from the floaty folksy stuff all the way through to the bombastic heaviness – none more so than the instrumental passages making a thumping way to end an album which delivers the goods.
My thanks to Joe for sending me a review copy. I’ve been driving around with it in the car for a couple of weeks and it’s properly got under my skin. An addictive, compelling listen.
It Was in the Month of May is due for release on 27 May 2026. Anout a month from date of posting. Various formats available for pre-order via Albion’s BandCamp page:
https://albionofficial.bandcamp.com/album/it-was-in-the-month-of-may-i
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