Dryadic releases new LP ‘Permission To Speak’

Since first coming together in 2017, Dryadic have become one of the UK’s most intriguing and socially compelling voices in modern folk. Rising from London’s live scene, the band have built a following through their rousing performances, unapologetically feminist songwriting and warm, string-led arrangements that breathe new life into the folk sphere. Founded by Zora McDonald and Joanna Dziecelska and now led by Zora alongside Aly Rainey on fiddle and George Pearson on double bass, Dryadic stand at the crossroads where activism and artistic expression move in harmony.

Blending folk origins and melodic pop, their songs are marked by soaring fiddle lines, intricate harmonies and poignant lyricism which distils relatable emotions through their own lens, framing stories of love, resistance and belonging delivered with honesty and bite. It’s this recpie of emotional candour and musical talent that’s carried them from grassroots venues to some of the UK’s most celebrated stages, including Glastonbury Avalon, Brighton Pride, Hackney Empire and Chai Wallahs, with European tours helping to extend their reach far beyond home turf.

Their reputation as one of Britain’s most exciting live folk acts has grown from word-of-mouth and sheer presence and each show feels like a call to connection, a mix of tenderness and power, where rousing choruses meet lyrical truth-telling. Winning over fans and tastemakers alike, Dryadic’s sound draws on a wide folk pop spectrum, fusing roots and gypsy influences with modern energy. The band’s earlier releases showcased their ability to blend sharp social commentary with singalong accessibility, offering songs that inspire reflection as much as participation.

Now, Dryadic return with Permission To Speak, their most ambitious and personal project thus far, serving up an album that signals both growth and defiance. It’s a record about claiming space, about speaking louder in a world that often asks women to shrink and for Zora, it’s a creative and emotional milestone, a coming of age that rejects the conventional tale of settling down or fading away. Ultimately, Permission To Speak stands as a rallying cry for self-definition and determination, built on an incredible framework of superb musicianship and uncompromising honesty.

Opened by the bounce of bright guitar drums, walking bass lines and tapped percussion of “Can’t Keep Up,” Zora’s smooth vocals glide above, spinning storytelling lyrics about real life setbacks to deliver a pop-tinged folk anthem that’s catchy and meaningful in equal measure. “Gongoozling for Two” flows with the delicate flutter of piano notes as Zora’s emotive voice gently floats alongside elegant string lines, building towards a lively folk experience brimming with stunning instrumental flourishes and heartfelt songwriting that traces feelings of feeling lost.

“Redevelop Our Souls” jumps straight into an energising flurry of dancing fiddle leads and rustling drums before settling down as Zora’s vocals enter to cast a classic indie folk sound, layering up with charming harmonies to deliver a superb dose of the band’s protest-inflected writing. Songs like “Smiling in the Dark” roll with grooving rhythm, picture painting lyrics and alluring vocal performance to lay down a queer romantic anthem.

One of their popular singles from last year, “Rainbow Family” frames Zora’s vocals in a stripped back setting where a lilting rhythmic sway carries graceful instrumentation and delicate vocals to offer a tender moment on the album. “Not My Government” takes aim at leaders, rejecting their actions such as involvement in conflict and the erosion of rights wrapped up in a charged folk arrangement packed full of invigorating energy and defiant attitude.

Closing the album with “Play Me a Song,” intricate plucks of acoustic guitar form a mellow scene as Zora’s soothing vocals to hover through a dreamy soundscape. Penned almost two decades ago, it’s a song that’s stood the test of time and offers a stunning showcase of Dryadic’s thoroughly timeless sound. Pressed on vinyl for the first time, Permission To Speak marks a tangible development for a band that continues to add a worthwhile contribution to the wider story of alternative folk music.

Commenting on the album, Zora offers, “Permission To Speak is a collection of songs that represents a kind of coming of age for me, but not the age that is usually meant by that phrase. Having entered an age where I am becoming less visible in society, these songs and performances are my way of shouting louder, shining brighter, and refusing to accept that and go quietly. To be doing this now, at an age where women become less visible, is very meaningful for me. I have finally come to a place in my life where I am learning to give myself permission to speak up, say what I actually think and want to say, and to be myself, allowing that to come through fully in my music. This is empowering, but it also makes me feel vulnerable because it becomes so personal.”

Listen to Permission To Speak below

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