8/10

There comes a moment in every artist’s life when the volume knob inevitably needs to be turned up. And on their new collection 'Permission To Speak', Dryadic arrive at that moment with clarity, conviction, and a refusal to dim their light for anyone.

Since emerging in 2017, the UK ensemble has carved out a distinct place within modern folk and roots circles, building their following through electric stagecraft and songs that refuse to sit politely in the corner. Now led by founding songwriter Zora McDonald alongside Aly Rainey’s expressive fiddle and George Pearson’s resonant double bass, the group sound more assured than ever.

From the start, this is the kind of record that settles right into your bones. McDonald’s writing is fearless, pulling from personal history and present-day realities with an unfiltered honesty that feels both intimate and communal.

Musically, the palette is richer and more expansive than previous outings. Piano takes on a central role, weaving through nearly every track and adding a new dimension to the band’s string-led foundation. Guitar and fiddle intertwine with cinematic sweep, while bowed bass lines create a grounded warmth that anchors even the most soaring moments.

Thematically, 'Permission To Speak' spans advocacy, solidarity, queer joy, frustration, tenderness and the messy beauty of growth. There are songs that bite with wit and social commentary, while others cradle vulnerability in gentle harmonies. Throughout, McDonald’s voice carries a dynamic mix of both strength and fragility.

In all, 'Permission To Speak' is the sound of a band stepping forward, shoulders back, and voices steady, daring anyone listening to do the same.