Brógeal – ‘Tuesday Paper Club’ album review: A Celtic folk-punk renaissance
Elizabeth Fraser, Bill Wells, Arab Strap and, now, Brógeal: the lowland town of Falkirk, Scotland, isn’t often viewed as a cultural cornerstone, but – like a postman who has undergone particular hardship – when it delivers, it delivers with a vengeance.
The Skinny: Contrary to what some sections of the music press would have you believe, Celtic folk music has never really gone anywhere. Although it has rarely received much attention from those south of Gretna, or to the east of the Irish Sea, its age-old melodies have been preserved through pockets of folk devotees in the back rooms of pubs and bedrooms of cultural custodians. Now, though, those incredible sounds are finally bleeding over into the mainstream, and it is largely thanks to artists like Brógeal.
On their masterful debut album, Tuesday Paper Club, the Falkirk outfit demonstrate the Celtic folk sounds which are always at the core of their existence, while piling on an ever-expanding range of influences. With an old-school punk attitude which cannot help to evoke images of Shane MacGowan, the group move effortlessly from high-energy, upbeat, folk-rock anthems to heartbreaking moments of vulnerability and indie-led optimism which wouldn’t sound out of place on the roster of mid-1990s Creation Records.
With Richie Kennedy – Jehnny Beth, Shame, The Murder Capital, et al – being the production desk on the picturesque surroundings of the Isle of Lewis, Tuesday Paper Club crafts a beautiful atmosphere which is adept at toeing the line between polish and spontaneity.
It’s an incredibly ambitious project, awash with sonic diversity and songwriting mastery, but it never feels overly strained. You can hear through the performances both the band’s dedication to their craft and their utter love of playing, an atmosphere which always makes for an engaging listening experience.
The Verdict: Brógeal succeed where many others fail: creating a bold, new record which is nevertheless rooted in a respect and adoration for Celtic folk traditions. Each track is handled with effortless grace, whether they’re immersed in the mournful ballads of ‘Go Home To Your Bed’ or the infectious, rousing energy of the album’s title track.
Defining track: ‘Tuesday Paper Club’
Release date: October 17th, 2025 | Producer: Richie Kennedy | Label: Play It Again Sam
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