Helen Gregory

By turns sardonic, polemical, articulate, funny and vulnerable, 9 Green Songs is an exhilarating white-knuckle ride through the technicolour daydreams and feverish nightmares that inform the worldview of one Britain’s most singular creative people.

An assured and beautifully realised collection of songs which will undoubtedly appeal to existing fans and newcomers alike and has all the makings of being a significant and well-deserved crossover success.

Along with his collaborators, The Kaniks, Stanley Brinks has made yet another glorious album which celebrates the individuality of us all at the same time as it reminds us we’re not all that different, really, under the skin. Plus we have an exclusive album stream.

This is a compilation that will be welcomed by anyone who’s ever thought, to quote Linda Thompson, “I so wish she had recorded a solo album”. Bringing together some of the best material available from such a wide range of sources, it presents Sandy Denny’s towering legacy in a way which is both respectful yet revealing.

An understated gem from Gill Sandell whose quiet introspection is tempered with an abiding optimism; it’s a rare blend and something to be treasured.

Every Bird That Flies exists in a liminal space, at the edges of music, art, social comment, beyond categories – but one thing is sure: when all’s said and done, you really should hear this record for yourself.

Reflective but accessible, thoughtful yet soulful, Anian is an altogether stunning and engrossing album of depth and diversity which touches the listener’s head, heart and soul.

This is a fine follow-up to Ninebarrow’s debut, the songs contain a wealth of detail and richness, showcasing their stunning harmony singing. An intricately woven display of light and shade which is sure to become a firm favourite of every folk music fan, and deservedly so.

The Silent Majority is an album which firmly establishes the reputations of Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar as one of the best duos on the British folk circuit today and if there’s any justice in this world, it will sell by the wagonload to existing fans and newcomers alike.

Steeped in the classic sounds of the 1960s counterculture of the USA, ‘Western Man’ wears its heart on its sleeve but avoids pastiche through Daisy House’s obvious awareness of (and influence by) contemporary musical trends.

The Longing Kind is a milestone record, both in terms of encapsulating Maz O’Connor’s recent personal journey and offering tantalising views of potential new directions on her musical road ahead – recommended to anyone looking for an insight into what makes a great contemporary folk record.

Applewood Road is a polished yet rootsy record which which manages to cover a comprehensive selection of the benchmarks of the Americana genre, from country to bluegrass, rockabilly to country blues and a number of points in between. This is sure to find plenty of fans!