Sleep on the Wing

Sleep on the Wing is a companion piece to Bibio's 2019 album Ribbons, further exploring the pastoral folk and acoustic instrumentation that has become a central pillar of Stephen Wilkinson's later work. Released during the 2020 lockdowns, the album resonated with a public seeking solace in nature and domestic quietude. Unlike his earlier 'folktronica' experiments, this record leans heavily into traditional folk structures, utilizing violins, cellos, and acoustic guitars with minimal electronic interference. The track titles - referencing Ratlinghope and local flora - anchor the music in the landscape of the West Midlands. Critics noted the album's 'Englishness' and its connection to the 1970s folk revival, though Wilkinson's unique ear for texture and atmosphere keeps it from feeling like a mere pastiche. It stands as one of his most cohesive and purely acoustic statements to date.