Seth Lakeman

★★★★

Make Your Mark HONOUR OAK. CD/DL/LP

West Country folk star reveals the soul beneath the style on eleventh album.

Fifteen years or so since his dashing arrival as what the more fanciful media described as “the poster boy of folk” amid frantic bouts of fiddle thrash and tales of Devon legends, Lakeman’s inspirations haven’t altered hugely. His beloved West Country surroundings remain at the heart of the album, though the slightly fierce cover image does reflect a more measured and serious style, in which he reveals more of himself than previously, becoming a much-improved songwriter in the process. There’s real intent – anger even – in songs like Hollow, Higher We Aspire, Underground and Coming For You Soon, while the heartfelt sentiments of Fallen Friend and Bound To Someone are given plenty of breathing space by some excellent arrangements and sensitive but telling contributions from Benji Kirkpatrick (bouzouki and banjo), Ben Nicholls (double bass), Toby Kearney (drums) and Alex Hart (vocals).