Mike Davies

On his fourth album Siempre, Ags Connolly fully embraces the border country Tex-Mex sound. His last release was named Album Of The Year at the UK Country Music Awards; they should maybe start engraving the plaque with his name now.

Hannah Aldridge’s ‘Dream of America’ calls on you to listen with both ears, heart and mind, downplaying the vocal power of past releases in favour of an understated honeyed smokiness, it’s her most ambitious and assured work to date.

It’s been nine years since Laura Cantrell released an album and ‘Just Like a Rose’, on which she is joined by a number of special guests, is a glorious affirmation that she’s not lost her magical touch.

Kicking any second album syndrome fears into touch; Lawside seems certain to figure in year-end best-of lists and launch Roseanne Reid into the wider consciousness of fans on both sides of the Atlantic.

A thoughtful and reflective album, Ben Harper’s ‘Wide Open Light’ has a quiet strength and emotional depth in its minimalism. His past albums have accrued eight Grammy nominations and three wins. This should add to both tallies.

For their third album, the Astoria, Oregon duo The Hackles are joined by Halli Anderson of River Whyless and Horse Feathers for an album that lives up to its title “What a Beautiful Thing I Have Made”.

On her ninth full-length album, ‘Hard Frost’, Annie Keating once again proves herself a true enduring perennial in her chosen field.

Eilen Jewell’s ‘Get Behind the Wheel’ serves as a testament to Nietzsche’s assertion that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, she’s clearly back in the driving seat.

With voice, lyrics and melodies, the songs on ‘Kassi Valazza Knows Nothing’ will draw you into its embrace. A totally captivating album that’s sure to bring Valazza the larger audience she deserves.

While it’s been a long hibernation, ‘Wish You Were Here’ finds Terry Emm in top form; it’s good to welcome him back into the warmth of the sun.

Produced by his son Tucker Martine and joined by guests that include Peter Buck, Bill Frisell, Laura Veirs, k.d. lang and Karl Blau. Music Man clearly demonstrates that the 81-year-old veteran Nashville-based songwriter Layng Martine Jr can sing them as well as write them.

El Tiradito (The Curse of Sinner’s Shrine) marks the next stage of Dean Owens’s hugely atmospheric collaboration with iconic Latin rockers Calexico. With Owens tapping into his inner Morricone, all it needs now is a screenplay.