The Frost Is All Over cover

The Frost Is All Over

Kate Rusby · 2015

49 min · 11 tracks · folk music

Traditional folk melodies intertwine with heartfelt vocal harmonies, evoking the warmth of winter celebrations and festive nostalgia.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Winter Wonderland — Rusby’s arrangement breathes new life into this classic, merging playful instrumentation with a warm vocal delivery that captures the essence of winter joy.
  • →
    Cold Winter — This track highlights Rusby's storytelling prowess, painting vivid images of the season's harshness while retaining a sense of warmth through its melodic structure.
  • →
    The Frost Is All Over — The title track encapsulates the album's spirit, blending traditional elements with Rusby’s emotive voice to create an inviting atmosphere for listeners.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100
Foothills
Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends traditional and original folk music, showcasing strong craftsmanship but lacks a cohesive narrative flow.

What we noticed

  • The pacing varies, with some tracks maintaining a lively tempo while others slow down to emphasize lyrical storytelling.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • warm seasonal reflections
  • gentle storytelling for winter
  • cozy background for gatherings
  • nostalgic melodies of tradition
  • soothing vocals for quiet moments

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking high-energy excitement
  • prefering modern production styles

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 2015, The Frost Is All Over marks Kate Rusby's return to seasonal music after several years focused on original compositions. This album follows her previous work, Ghost, and showcases her commitment to preserving and celebrating traditional folk songs with a contemporary touch.
Stylistic neighbors
Laura Marling· Sophie Hunger· Nina Nastasia

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Bradfield 4:14
  • 2 Cornish Wassailing 5:06
  • 3 Sunny Bank 3:54
  • 4 Winter Wonderland 3:38
  • 5 Little Bilberry 4:44
  • 6 Dilly Carol 5:14
  • 7 Cold Winter 5:31
  • 8 The Christmas Goose 5:03
  • 9 Yorkshire Merry Christmas 4:12
  • 10 Mount Lyngham 3:49
  • 11 The Frost Is All Over 3:57

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata