One of the best things about being a reviewer is that you get to listen to a whole variety of music and you end up discovering music that you may otherwise have missed entirely. I also like working for this magazine, as they encourage me to chat and be friendly! We never say ‘here is the press release’ and put down the stars!
Ervin Munir has been working really hard as a folk artist, both live and with his releases, to build his audience, and with listening figures of 33k+ now for his songs on Spotify, I’d say that audience is definitely growing.
Ervin spoke to us at the time his first album was released; he commented,
“I play with a lot of folk groups in Norfolk, and the important aspect is the narrative story behind the music. I try to tell a story with each song. Also, as another artist came up to tell me recently, it is the instrument that can make a song folk. He was saying that he liked how I did a song live, and it worked as a folk-style number. But as an artist, when you submit your music to be listened to, they always ask for the genre, and I struggle with that.”
The exciting thing about British folk music in 2025 is how it is getting picked up by artists in rock and Americana (country), morphing folk elements into the new sounds. Bands and solo artists alike are blending folk’s raw emotional depth with the grit of rock and the warmth of Americana, creating a fusion that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking. Streaming platforms and social media have also played a role in this resurgence, making folk-infused tracks more accessible to global audiences. As a result, British folk is no longer confined to niche festivals but is finding its way into mainstream playlists and international collaborations.

My Review:
The album runs to just under 38 minutes. It has 11 songs and includes the new single “Happy Home.” Its release date was January 31, so it is available now on all streaming platforms.
All songs are written by Ervin, with the exception of “Pure and Simple,” co-written by Tim Levey.
“Break Me” was released as a single in November 2024 and was reviewed here by my colleague Stevie (currently off on maternity leave). She said of the single, ‘With a touch of Simon and Garfunkel, this song manages to show a strong commercial appeal that should surely attract radio play. It is a well-crafted, mature piece of songwriting that blends in a great chorus and some harmony background vocals. I liked the track lyrically and it has a blend of pop in the folk mix, making it a great end for Ervin in a busy 2024 for him. I would say that I personally feel this is Ervin’s best release of the year. I went back and had a second listen and it packs a punch. I’m watching him grow an audience, and with tracks as strong as this, the momentum should only continue into next year.”
“My Heart” was released in September 2024; originally, Lorraine said about it that it is ‘ full of layered harmony singing, pleasing melody, built-up rhythms and a wide commercial appeal. Actually, of all the songs I have heard from Ervin, this one has the most open commercial touch, a guitar that begins with a simple acoustic feel but then switches to a lilting rockier touch toward the 2 minute mark. It is catchy and has an airwave touch.” I liked this one too; it is a good release for the month of Valentines and romance. Never be afraid to risk your heart!
“Going Nowhere.” Ervin tells us that the song is ‘Inspired by the pop stylings of Sophie Ellis-Bextor, “Going Nowhere” delves into themes of relationship insecurities and the desire to stay together.’ Featuring Ervin’s trademark acoustic guitar flare and tight harmony vocals, the song proves the Norfolk-based songwriter’s versatility, with elements of country music woven into its catchy folk melody. Speaking about the single, Ervin Munir shared, “‘Going Nowhere’ is a reflection of my personal experiences in relationships. It’s a plea to stay together, underscored by upbeat rhythms and heartfelt lyrics.” Writing about this one at the time, Lorraine said, ‘It begins slow, folk-like, and stripped back. But then it lifts up into a commercial pop sound, a catchy little chorus, a simple melody and a pleasing drum beat. It was a relaxing pick-me-up to end the day. I also would hope that it would attract the interest of radio stations, as it has a wider appeal.
“Happy Home” is the new single; it runs to 2.56 and introduces the song with a whistle. It is, for me, a folk-style ditty. The melody is catching the lyrics sad but the music is uplifting and there is always hope in the beat. Enjoy the rhythm and the beat, and the sentiment is fairly universal.
“Doors” makes me think that Ervin is a songwriter who likes very short one- or two-word song titles! It opens with a beautiful, simple piano melody. It has a message of persistence and knocking on those doors. The vocal harmonies and vocal layering are accomplished and the song has a stripped-down appeal.
“Pure and Simple” is the song title for the album. It has a dreamy appeal and is a favorite of mine on the album. The reason for this is that I liked the lyrics and the simple rhythmic sway of the piece, and I also found the sense of harmony and the buildup of the instrumentalization toward the end effective.
“King” sees Tina Blaber, duet with Ervin. I would say this is acoustic folk/pop and is very much a storytelling narrative between a king and queen; it is about love and loss and has an interesting range of instruments giving a medieval feel.
“Did I Miss It?” turns to a more gently pop feel. It brings in a drum beat and a tale of love and yearning. It’s an uplifting listen.
“Chase the Moon” has some lovely acoustic guitar and a lovely lyric. It is traditional, confident and very well crafted. It has that immediacy when I listen to it as if I am there listening live. A very good song.
“Felixtowe” came out as a single in 2024 and was reviewed by Lorraine. She said at the time, “Folk music and country are musical genres that look toward the narrative story in the lyrics, and that is certainly true here. The song plays us out with the cry of seagulls, the horn from the ferry and the readiness of the departure; the drums suddenly rise in the mix like the heartbeat of leaving.”
“Last Breath” closes the album. It only runs to a minute and is a little tale reflecting on the end of a life. Too melancholic for me!
In summary, they do say that second albums are notoriously difficult to make. I didn’t find that here; each song is extremely well crafted and I was relaxed listening to this creative example of British folk music. Ervin has stories to tell and he delivers them with some wonderful harmonies and an ear for melody. I also liked the album cover too, pure and simple in design and delivery.
Standout Tracks: “Chase the Moon,” “Pure and Simple,” and “Break Me.”
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Artist website here
Stream the album and more from Ervin Munir here
By Anna-Louise Burgess
