Glenn Kimpton

Down Among the Dead Men is the sound of a band cementing their sound and having a blast playing these wonderful songs with exciting and enviable energy. An album to relish and then savour, a confident set that brings great playing together with splendid tunes to create something rather special.

A surge of creativity has resulted in 13 Rivers (out today), Thompson’s first self-produced record in over a decade and one to live with. He talked to us about recording the album simply, hanging onto analogue warmth and the dreaded ‘F’ word.

Confidence positively oozes from 13 Rivers, powerful, intelligent, multi-faceted, beautifully performed and consistently strong. It’s also a ton of fun and a genuine high point in Thompson’s career; a record that should be chewed on and discussed for many years to come.

Flag-bearing American acoustic instrumentalist Glenn Jones’s The Giant who ate Himself is another perfectly realised and recorded set of solo gems. We caught up with him to discuss the album, the heavyweight twelve-string guitar and that one audience member.

“The Giant Who Ate Himself” is a new collection from Massachusetts based acoustic instrumentalist Glenn Jones that feels very much like the final part of a trilogy that began in 2013. Treasures pop up throughout to bring a smile to the face. Another faultless and hugely enjoyable set from a master storyteller still peaking.

The Morning Star seems like a giant leap forward into the experimental mind of Bachman. It’s an album with a sharp tongue and among the beauty that shines through is plenty of unrest, unease and anger. It makes for powerful and original music and ends on a finale that will probably blow your mind.

You Never Were Much of a Dancer is an absorbing, original and varied debut that demonstrates the skill and consideration this talented musician possesses.

Amid breathtaking Welsh landscape, we met up with twelve-string guitarist Toby Hay, our Artist of the Month for July, to discuss the mechanics behind his new set of acoustic instrumentals, The Longest Day.

With their new Anchor album already out and having the critics dishing out stars liberally, we met with the peerless mother and daughter duo to discuss the recording of the project, musical censorship and making a follow-up.

Cloud Corner is another example of why Marisa Anderson is one of America’s most interesting and talented guitar players and composers. She has crafted a piece of work that challenges the listener and rewards them further with every listen. Excellent.

Anchor is a deeply intelligent and fresh selection of songs. The theme of perennial bonds through family friends and music shows its hand throughout and wraps up something very special. Another deeply satisfying, beautifully sang and arranged album of songs from a peerless musical family.

Gretchen Peters has reacted to the adoring reception of Blackbirds by writing an even better album in Dancing with the Beast. This is assured, highly impressive work from all involved.