REVIEWS
Folk London -‘Into the Winter’s Night’ by Owl in the Sun
by Pal Carter, June 2026
Must Listen: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I had better begin by saying if your preferences are solely for traditional folk music then this album is possibly not for you. But it has firm roots in country & western, references to historical places, ways of life, personal and social relationships, hopes and dreams – set to some of the most exciting arrangements I have ever heard….
….These songs have a tale to tell…. This has to be one of the best albums I have ever reviewed….
Folk and Tumble - ‘Into the Winter’s Night’ by Owl in the Sun
by Gerry McNally, March 2026
English folk-swing sensations Owl in the Sun make a triumphant return with their highly anticipated fourth album, 'Into the Winter’s Night'.
It’s a mystery to us at F&T how a band as good as Owl in the Sun stayed off our radar until their fourth album. Now that we’ve heard 'Into the Winter’s Night', we’re just glad we finally caught up! ……
At The Barrier - ‘Into The Winter’s Night’ by Owl in the Sun
by John Barlass, March 2026
“A timeless collection of observational vignettes, rooted in Americana, folk and swing.” Into the Winter's Night, the fourth album from Bath-based Owl In The Sun takes a soothing journey away from the dark times and into the warmth and fizz of a French Café…. ….They’re an accomplished lot and each individual member stamps his or her presence firmly upon the finished sound. The overall effect is joyful…..
Dr Michael Hammond - ‘Into The Winter’s Night’ by Owl in the Sun
by Dr Michael Hammond, Film, University of Southampton, April 2026
….Owl in the Sun have come up with a beautiful collection of songs that range from outposts of despair and the ravages of history to the romance of the funfair and the defiance of love in the face of strong harsh winds…..
….The songs are lifted by a striking combination of arrangements, first class musicianship, and beguiling vocals and harmonies, clear and evocative, that work to bring the lyrics straight to the heart…..
Americana UK - ‘Black House’ by Owl in the Sun
by Jonathan Aird, February 2013 - ★ ★ ★ ★
Glimmering glistening echoes of half remembered dreams.….It's like a hot French jazz band of the thirties, backing up Jacqui McShee and John Renbourn. It's Pentangle, or, since Owl in the Sun are drawing on an older jazz tradition, it's actually a pre-Pentangle. Is that clear? Songs whizz around from all directions but there's a common theme of something gothic and haunting - so maybe it's be better to say that Owl in the Sun are the Preternatural Pre-Pentangle…..
…..The more I listen to this album the more I like it, and the feeling that this is a band that's going to garner greater attention is unavoidable. This is no mere encomia - theirs is an effulgence to match the sun…..