Allison Lupton has a gift for telling stories that stay with you, and her album Step Up Molly is a lovely example of what makes Canadian folk music so special. Released on October 23, 2026, the album brings together original songs inspired by history, love, friendship, and the people who shape the communities around them. With Celtic influences woven into the arrangements, Lupton creates music rooted in tradition while telling her own stories. The album opens with “Over The Line”, a lively number featuring fiddle, dobro, guitar, and mandolin. Inspired by the Mighty Men of Zorra, an Ontario tug-of-war team that defeated their American rivals at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, the song connects that historic victory with the feeling of falling in love. Lupton finds a fun way to bring these two ideas together, making the story both entertaining and easy to relate to.
“The Hills of Harrington” takes a more emotional turn. Set around 1870 in Harrington, Ontario, it tells of betrayal, deception, and stolen love. Lupton shares vocals with Scottish-Canadian folk singer Bobby Watt, and their voices blend beautifully. Adding “Sullivan Ross’s March” at the end gives the song a lovely connection to its Scottish heritage. The title track is another highlight. “Step Up Molly” tells the story of young women recruited from Newfoundland during World War II to work at a textile mill in Hespeler, Ontario. Many stayed after the war, building a community with lasting ties to their Newfoundland roots. Featuring Matthew Byrne, the song honors these women and their experiences before closing with the lively “Reel De La Pistroli”.
The album offers plenty more to enjoy. “Sea Glass” explores love, “Gems” celebrates friendship, and “When Trouble Comes” draws inspiration from nature. “The Wonder” captures the happiness of coming together, while “The Big Cheese” catches the ear with its distinctive bowed bass. “Niagara Moon” also gives the musicians room to show off their skills, with the fiddle, dobro, guitar, and mandolin working beautifully together. “Hockey Night” brings a playful touch to the record. From childhood road hockey games to weekly matches, Lupton captures the excitement hockey brings to Canadian life. The shouted “in Canada!” in the chorus is especially catchy, making this one easy to sing along to.
The musicians deserve plenty of credit, too. With fiddle, standup bass, dobro, mandolin, guitar, accordion, flute, whistle, harmonica, cello, and drums among the instruments featured, the arrangements have plenty of character. Lupton also produced the album herself, with David Travers-Smith handling the recording and mixing. I particularly enjoy how these songs give a voice to people and stories that might otherwise be forgotten. Lupton’s warm singing and lively folk arrangements make the album a pleasure to spend time with. Step Up Molly is well worth a listen for anyone who enjoys traditional folk music, Celtic influences, and songwriting rooted in real experiences. Follow Allison Lupton on Instagram and Spotify to keep up with her music and upcoming performances. Add the album to your playlist, spend some time with the title track, and share these songs with someone who appreciates a good story set to music. It is a wonderful way to discover an artist who keeps folk traditions alive while bringing fresh stories to the table.
