Tippin’ the Wink are a folk trio based in County Durham. They formed in 2009 but all members have enjoyed playing traditional music for many years and have played several local folk festivals including the Barnard Castle Big Bash 2010 and 2011 Sedgefield Folk Festival. The album is filled with memorable melodies, immaculate acoustic guitar playing and insightful, honest lyrics. They put the kick back into local folk music with many string driven arrangements and twin bouzoukis providing rhythm, accompanied by strong vocals from all members which complement each other perfectly. Opening track Bay Of Biscay welcomes the playful interaction of multi-layered harmonies and intricate shimmering vocal melodies. It is dreamy, possessing a strange enchanting beauty. The tracks on the album weave in and out of intimate ballads to roaring chorus songs that lend further depth and variation to the sound. Singer Sylvia Doran, has a voice which is both soft and gentle which is particular mesmerizing in track Dainty Daisy. The Devils In The Detail overflows with natural potential.

By Sophie Stratford