Samuel Blaney created “Island Rains” in moonlit reverie on the west coast of Ireland, with Adem Ilhan and Neil MacColl colouring the songs without ever overwhelming them. You can hear the influence of a life pared back to essentials, and a tangible sense of how tending something small becomes a way of steadying yourself against the wider world.

Boyhood (Caylie Runciman) has announced a new album, “I’ll Dream InStead,” out October 23rd via Hand Drawn Dracula, alongside lead single “Loner.” Recorded largely alone on her bed through a rural winter, the album marks a period of renewal for Runciman, who calls it evidence that she’s “found herself again.” She tours North America this summer.

Tōth has shared a live performance of “Easy,” recorded with the 85-voice Brooklyn Choir Project at a Brooklyn church. Taken from his acclaimed album “And The Voice Said,” the song builds from hushed verses to a full-choir climax, turning Tōth’s private refrain into a group affirmation. Out now via Egghunt/Northern Spy.

Tommy Oeffling has announced his new album, Neighbors, out October 30th on 22TWENTY, alongside a video for lead single “Daily on Eggshells.” Directed by Caiden Dohr, the video introduces an album inspired by James Joyce’s “Ulysses,” folding one Saturday in Oeffling’s Milwaukee neighbourhood into a record he wrote, played and recorded almost entirely alone.

Nick Granata’s debut solo album, “My Heart is Running Backwards! A Martial Artist! With a Closed Fist! Woof!”, is an ambitious album of astonishing breadth and endless personality. A member of the Shovel Dance Collective, Granata largely plays down the wackiness of that title in favour of genuine sonic experimentation and a joyously queer heart.

Teenage Fanclub have shared “Day In The Sun,” the lead single from their new album “Do Not Dare To Dream,” with a video filmed on Great Bernera in the Outer Hebrides. Lush multi-part harmonies and 60s jangle, a harp opening and a subtle vox wah, all sparkling with Californian psych glow. Out 9th October via Merge Records.

Josaleigh Pollett’s fourth full-length album, “If I Let It Quiet”, is an absolute treasure trove of textural, dynamic and living electronic pop music, born out of a cross-continent collaboration with producer Jordan Watko. A whirlwind affair of vast sonic experiences, some out in full view, some hidden beneath the surface — a glowing, sparking dreamworld that beckons repeated listening.

Neil Young’s songbook gets two more tribute volumes: “Heart of Gold” Vol. 2 – “Out of the Blue” and Vol. 3 – “Into the Black” arrive on 6th November, benefiting The Bridge School. King Princess covers “Helpless” and Draco Rosa reworks “After the Gold Rush”, leading a cast of more than twenty that includes My Morning Jacket, Modest Mouse and Lucinda Williams.

Jeffrey Silverstein shares “Portland Works”, the latest single from new album “Doggone” (23rd October, Full Time Hobby). A full-bodied psychedelic song, it cruises on a deep-seated groove and breezy summer pacing, saving its headiest moment for the outro. It follows “Out of Tune”, his Devendra Banhart collaboration, and lands with an animated visualiser by Squeeeeee Animations.

Susanna premieres a live video of Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart” — a song Susanna first recorded twenty years ago with Susanna and the Magical Orchestra on “Melody Mountain”. People still ask for it at her concerts; here she performs it alongside guitarist Juhani Silvola, whom she has played alongside as a duo since 2020.

Jude Brothers announces “Dogwood Maiden Voyage”, their first double LP, out 25 September on Gar Hole Records. The Arkansas-born songwriter shares the first single, “Desire & Devotion” — written on the cliffs above the Northumberland sea and carried by a hand-built puppet video — a churning meditation on desire, devotion and the impossible wish to be free of wanting.

Le Ren shares “Every Age”, a new single and video directed by Talvi Faustmann, from her forthcoming album “Don’t Be Funny Without Me”, out 28 August via Royal Mountain Records. Over guitar, gentle percussion, fiddle and lapsteel, she turns a simple wish — to have known someone at every age of their life — into her tenderest song yet.