Hallelujah, hosanna, rejoice! It’s about time we take a break from all those gloomy band names in the basement. Every week there’s a punk band called Kopschopper (“Head Kicker”) or a metal act named Doomed in Flames — things could stand to be a little more cheerful. Do you have to look far for that? Not at all, because from Groningen comes In Good Spirit. They don’t make metal or punk, but rather beautiful, multi-voiced folk — the kind we haven’t often seen in the basement in recent years. Perfect for an autumn Saturday night.

In terms of musical tradition, think of a line running from the forests and villages, through Fairport Convention and Anne Briggs, to an act like the Indigo Girls, before taking a left turn toward more recent groups like Lankum, with even a touch of the old Black Country, New Road.

Their debut album Comfort on its Knees was released on October 15 and, in my opinion, it’s one of the strongest records to come out of Groningen this year. So grab your raincoat and boots, order a bokbier, and warm yourself up with the alt-folk sounds of In Good Spirit — I can’t wait.

| Hugo