"Beautiful. Just beautiful." - BBC Radio Wiltshire
"Five Years in the Cotswolds is as majestic as the morning chorus." - Devizine
Read the full review by Devizine on FIVE YEARS IN THE COTSWOLDS
In March 2020, Argentinian guitarist Ludwig Mack arrived in the UK eager to explore and embrace Britain's rich musical culture. The following day the country entered lockdown, leaving him unexpectedly stranded in a small Cotswold village.
During this strange and uncertain period, Ludwig connected with singer-songwriter Will Lawton through Instagram. To their surprise, they discovered they lived only a few miles apart. When they finally met in person, the pair instantly connected, discovering a shared musical language and a natural ability to write songs together.
The songs came quickly. Among the first recordings was a reimagined acoustic version of Will's song Atlantic-O, alongside a collection of new material written during lockdown. These recordings became the EP Heroes, marking the beginning of a creative partnership that would continue to evolve over the next five years.
What began as an unexpected friendship grew into a musical collaboration that would eventually become Five Years in the Cotswolds.
Written entirely in the Cotswolds, Five Years in the Cotswolds is a collection of songs inspired by landscape, friendship, community and the changing seasons. Across ten songs, Lawton & Mack reflect on connection, belonging and the unexpected paths that bring people together.
Blending intricate guitar work, rich vocal harmonies and thoughtful songwriting, the album draws inspiration from the beauty of the natural world and the relationships that sustain us through times of change.
As the songs evolved, so too did the community surrounding the project. Producer and guitarist Robert McLeod, multi-instrumentalist Guillem Mitchel, singer-songwriter Freya Everest, drummer Toby Partridge and arranger Benjamin Lawton, Will's eldest son, all contributed to the recording, helping shape its distinctive sound.
Singles from the album include Always, Songbird and 1000 Postcards, offering a glimpse into the warmth, intimacy and craftsmanship that runs throughout the record.
Featured Video: Songbird "The first single from Five Years in the Cotswolds"
Will Lawton has a long-standing creative connection with filmmaker Tea Smart. During the development of Five Years in the Cotswolds, they discovered that they were independently working on projects inspired by the landscapes, communities and changing character of the Cotswolds.
As Tea's documentary Field & Folk evolved, Lawton & Mack became involved in the project, writing the theme song and contributing much of the original music featured throughout the film. Exploring the changing landscape, farming traditions and people of the Cotswolds, the documentary shares many of the themes at the heart of Five Years in the Cotswolds—place, belonging, change and connection.
Throughout summer 2026, Lawton & Mack will perform music from the album alongside selected screenings of the film, bringing the soundtrack to life in concert and celebrating the creative partnership between the two projects.
FIELD & FOLK Official Trailer - Featuring "God's Plan" by Lawton & Mack
In the days of vinyl records, listeners would often spend time with album artwork, photographs, lyrics and sleeve notes while the music played. Much of that experience has been lost in the age of streaming.
To accompany Five Years in the Cotswolds, Lawton & Mack have created a beautifully crafted 36-page hardback companion book in that tradition. Featuring photography, artwork, stories from the songwriting journey, handwritten lyrics and chord sheets, it offers a deeper connection to the songs and the creative process behind them.
More than simply merchandise, the book is an extension of the album itself—a celebration of the friendships, landscapes and creative community that brought the music into being.