Self-described avant-folk trio Ida Lune make lovely music that has more than a hint of trad folk within their mix of jazz, classical and electronic influences.

Anna Wooles, Deanne Krieg and Rose Blake are Ida Lune, and their self-titled debut album illustrates how the trio use voice as an instrument to express feeling through melody and harmony. All three are vocalists and instrumentalists, and their expressive, beautiful vocals are frequently underscored by soft synths and strings, adding nuance and atmosphere to the music.

The first-person approach with lyrics gives a very personal feel to this album, drawing the listener in to great effect, and Jeremy, in particular, is quietly devastating – an acapella song about power imbalance within an unhealthy relationship. The following track, Apart, tackles isolation and connection.

‘Ida Lune’ does follow the path of more contemporary folk, but The Well could easily come from the traditional English folk canon – a sparse melody underpinned by harmonies and plucked acoustic guitars, before strings, drums, and hushed beats appear towards the end, giving a contemporary feel.

Sensitively produced to emphasise the interplay of voices and instruments, ‘Ida Lune’ sounds like it could have come from another time. While the trio have been compared to Fleet Foxes, they are closer to British folk trio The Staves, or Australian vocal trio Seeker, Lover, Keeper in terms of vocal style and arrangement. A lovely album.