Mike Davies

An unintended concept album, Ben Bedford’s ‘Valley of Stars’ is a magical musical folk tale – an ambitious, intricate and hypnotic conjuring of a psyche seeking to self-repair, one that needs to be heard in one sitting from start to end to gather the full effect and the final catharsis it brings.

Dear Friend is one of The Bombadils’ more laid-back and wistful albums, a tender and quietly beguiling affirmation of love, friendship and human contact across the years and the miles.

Fifteen albums in, while gaining new admirers with each release, those who have discovered him along the journey can be assured that this is further proof that Tom Ovans continues to be one of the finest troubadours of his generation.

Mike Davies shares his Top 10 Albums of 2022 featuring Alison O’Donnell, Mary Gauthier, Janis Ian, Julian Taylor, Emma Guzman, Angeline Morrison, Garrett Heath, Luke James Williams, Michael Weston King and Memorial.

Steeped in Scottish history and folklore, Scottish Folk Ballads of Freedom is further evidence of Sam Shackleton’s singular approach and his growing eminence beyond folk circles.

A rising star in today’s Americana folk constellation, Jack Schneider’s Best Be On My Way is an engaging, musically understated, but highly accomplished debut that touches on universal emotions, often downcast but glimmering with shafts of light.

Produced by Jeff Tweedy, Alpenglow is Trampled by Turtles’ tenth album and is, without doubt, the band’s most contemplative album to date; one in which to immerse yourself.

A creative director, designer and photographer, at 40, Joseph Shipp is only now stepping out into a new career as a singer-songwriter with his debut album, ‘Free, For A While’; it’s unquestionably one of the year’s best.

Shot through with threads of resilience, Samuel James Taylor’s ‘Wild Tales and Broken Hearts’ is an album that reignited his love of music and songwriting.

Veined with sadness and joy, anguish and hope, ‘Beyond the Reservoir’ confirms Julian Taylor as one of the finest voices in contemporary Canadian folk music.

On ‘A Fast Running Train Whistles Down’, Thomas Bull shares his passion for the ‘Dust Bowl Troubadour’, bringing the timelessness of Woody Guthrie’s words and politics to a new generation.

Ben Calvert’s latest EP ‘Inside Outside’ focuses on mysticism, religious figures, icons and symbols as he continues to prove to be an intoxicating singular talent.