This week on Around the World with Davy Sims, we’re taking a gentle journey back to the beginning of the year to revisit one of the standout musical highlights: Luminescent Creatures by the remarkable Japanese artist, Ichiko Aoba. First featured in the early weeks of the year, this deeply atmospheric and emotionally rich album left a lasting impression on listeners around the world—and it’s well worth another listen.

Ichiko Aoba is renowned for her ability to craft minimalist yet deeply evocative soundscapes. With nothing more than her voice, guitar, and a delicate sense of space, she builds entire worlds from silence and sound. In Luminescent Creatures, she offers a collection of beautifully soft, introspective pieces that feel like whispered lullabies or long-forgotten dreams coming gently back to life.

As always, Davy features four carefully chosen tracks from the album, each one showcasing a different facet of Ichiko’s artistry. From delicate acoustic melodies to subtly layered arrangements, these songs embody a rare kind of beauty—fragile yet powerful, understated yet unforgettable. Davy also shares insights into the album’s creation, Ichiko's unique musical philosophy, and why this particular body of work continues to resonate so deeply.

Whether you're a longtime fan of Ichiko Aoba or hearing her for the first time, this episode invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and truly listen. It’s a reflective, soothing hour of radio that reminds us of the quiet magic found in the gentlest of sounds.

Around the World with Davy Sims—your passport to global music, one extraordinary artist at a time.

Join Davy Sims on another epic musical journey in Around the World with Davy Sims, your passport to the sounds, rhythms, and stories that shape our global soundtrack.

This week’s featured album is Terra Mãe by Portuguese-Irish duo LINA_ & Jules Maxwell—a rich, emotional exploration of heritage and homeland, blending Fado traditions with contemporary textures in a stunning cross-cultural collaboration.

Estonia takes the spotlight in the Baltic segment, with compelling performances from Mari Kalkun, Duo Ruut, and the genre-defying Pulluup.

From the rarely spotlighted sonic treasures of Eritrea and Malawi, to powerful sounds from Canada, Colombia, Cuba, France, Ghana, Greece, Italy, Mali, Mexico, Nigeria, Senegal, and the Solomon Islands—this week’s playlist is a vibrant celebration of the world’s rich musical tapestry.

Tune in, travel far, and discover something new—only on Around the World with Davy Sims.

Around the World with Davy Sims

This week on Around the World, Davy Sims takes you on another unforgettable musical journey across continents and cultures. The Featured Album is Angel by the extraordinary Welsh harpist Cerys Hafana, blending tradition with modern creativity in a way that’s both intimate and striking.

Along the way, you’ll hear a rich mix of sounds from every corner of the globe — from the rhythms of Brazil and Nigeria, to the melodies of Finland, Hungary, and Slovakia, and the soulful textures of India, Lebanon, and Sudan. There’s music from Australia, Canada, California, and Ireland, as well as discoveries from Portugal, Puglia, Sicily, Romania, North Macedonia, Sweden, Denmark, Gabon, and Rwanda.

It’s a sweeping, diverse playlist that celebrates how music connects us all, no matter where we call home.