Malian kora virtuoso Ballaké Sissoko shares the title track of his new album Djourou on which he is joined by leading female kora player Sona Jobarte, from The Gambia. A poetic duet.

Virtuoso improv-folk duo The Ciderhouse Rebellion featuring Adam Summerhayes (fiddle) and Murray Grainger (accordion) announce their first music of 2021 with the release of an animated video for the tune ‘The Skinny Orphan’.

The songs on Revolutionary love are the fruits of a long and soulful career. DiFranco’s skill at the helm here, sounding almost natural while simultaneously being very experimental on her 20th studio album. Reap the good listens.

Firefay and Alison O’Donnell have reunited once again for a follow-up to their incredible 2014 album ‘Anointed Queen’. Listen to ‘Coming to London of Wily Will’, a gorgeous slice of psych folk.

Listen to Mountain Man covering Fiona Apple’s Hot Knife – “If we followed Questlove’s advice and made gratitude lists before we went to bed every night, Fiona Apple would be at the top every time…”

Calling to mind Solid Air era John Martyn, listen to ‘Gravity’, the debut single from Hector Shaw, which explores the desperation of witnessing someone you care about suffering.

Justin Rutledge’s softer Americana/alt folk ambience effortlessly combines his clear, warm and tender voice with an eloquent, poetic lyric-writing strength. One for fans and an excellent primer for newcomers.

Ryan Dugré has created a work that suggests complexity, based not on the number of notes so much as the feelings behind those notes. A wonder exists within the wood and steel.

Rose City Band, the solo project of singer/guitarist Ripley Johnson, announces new album – Earth Trip, out 21 May. Listen to lead single ‘Lonely Places’.

February Sounds is the latest EP offering from UK and Ireland based musicians Laura Cannell and Kate Ellis and the second EP in their twelve-part series project ‘These Feral Lands – A Year Documented in Sound and Art.’

Simon Flory delivers a killer track with ‘The More You Talk (The Less I Hear)’ from his new album Haul These Blues Away. The accompanying video has a great twist – a must see.

Recorded at home in isolation, ‘Grounded’ finds John Blek seeking to find a sense of balance and purpose amid the surrounding uncertainty. While experimenting with different compositional techniques it also cuts straight to the heart.