**** "Paper Sparrows grew out of a successful Edinburgh folk club founded in 2014 by multi-instrumentalist, Ross Fairbairn. The combination of Fairbairn, singer-songwriter David Hershaw and double bassist, Colin Morris, soon coalesced into a de facto house band. Given the talents involved, it was only a matter of time before original music began to flow. 

Debut album Hiding Away From The Light is true to the trio’s Scottish folk roots, building around acoustic instruments and songs that blend thoughtful lyrics and engaging melodies. Any group featuring a couple of acoustic guitars and harmony vocals almost begs comparison with Simon & Garfunkel but Paper Sparrows’ key influences lie more in the British folk revival of the 60s.

The guitar playing draws on artist such as Bert Jansch, Martin Carthy and John Renbourn. Where they flex their Americana muscles the destination is less towards Greenwich Village and more to the Appalachians. The title track is a good case in point. It’s an impressible slice of Celtic country but even behind the rollicking rhythms there remains an exquisite hint of skill and experience of melancholy and regret. The epithet ‘debut album’ belies the depth of skill and experience hidden behind the members of the band. There’s clearly much more to come from Paper Sparrows."
RNR MAGAZINE

**** "With their well-received debut EP Silver and a brace of complimentary live dates completed across Britain earlier this year, Edinburgh troubadours Paper Sparrows arrive with their long-awaited first album.

Concise and well-structured, Hiding Away From The Light offers up 10 confident and assured original compositions. Overall, the album is a pleasant traipse through the trio’s current repertoire, most, if not all of it, reflecting their collective influences; the majority being found within the realms of folk and folk-rock. 

Openers ‘Saving Grace’ and ‘Tears Like Silver’ display a degree of lyrical soul-searching and, as the album unfolds, the instrumentation widens to include bouzouki, mandolin, shruti (played by stand-up bassist Colin Morris) and keening electric guitar. The bouncy title track is the most commercial selection, with a slight Proclaimers feel. In contrast, ‘Down To The Riverside’ is maudlin late night bedsitter fayre, with regular lead vocalist David Hershaw trading places with Ross Fairbairn."
SHINDIG! MAGAZINE

“A bit further up the bill (Ely Folk Festival 2023) Paper Sparrows celebrated the release of their debut album with a real ‘wow’ set.”
RNR MAGAZINE

"Highly recommended!"
CELTIC CONNECTIONS

"Top drawer stuff. Really, first class!"
FRANK HENNESSY, CELTIC HEARTBEAT, BBC RADIO WALES

“There’s a real emotional depth going on here plus an undeniably rich songwriting craft that can be heard throughout the sterling performances, all of which bodes well for the future of this Edinburgh-based acoustic three-piece."
SHINDIG! MAGAZINE

“As for the music...Edinburgh’s Paper Sparrows provided an impressive folk/Americana mix that easily won over an audience that had never seen them before."
RNR MAGAZINE

“One of the finds of the festival”
THE FOLK CLUB RADIO SHOW