Mike Davies

Nothin’ Lastin’, the long-awaited new solo offering from Hal Cannon offers a song cycle that leads from the fear of impermanence to contemplating what we are missing – an exploration towards solid ground.

A more expansive album than her last, Loose Future marks something of a new journey and beginning for Courtney Marie Andrews.

Dwelling By The Weir is a striking debut that launches Ellie Gowers into the folk scene as a  fully-fledged contender for end-of-year awards and accolades.

Featuring co-writes with Kathryn Williams, David Ford, and the novelist Laura Barnett, Polly Paulusma’s latest offering, The Pivot On Which The World Turns, is the work of a master songsmith. 

Siobhan Miller’s fifth album ‘Bloom’ has an immediacy and energy beyond her previous offerings. If she can continue to harness the spark and spontaneity in evidence here, I’ll remain a convert. A prized bloom indeed.

Crazy Town is another solid album offering from Beth Nielsen Chapman; read our album review and watch the video for her country hymnal ‘Walk You To Heaven’, a collaboration with Kimmie Rhodes and Mindy Smith.

Unquenching Fire is a rare delight that doesn’t rely exclusively on reworking the usual traditional chestnuts, but then SykesMartin are a rare delight indeed.

There’s a joy buried in the heady loam of the heartache, on Steve Wallis’ debut that, while he may be a largely unknown name, for now, will undoubtedly ensure he doesn’t stay that way for long.

Written during the pandemic, Chris Fox’s latest album, In Plain Sight, is witty and wise in equal measure. Joined by Holly Brandon on fiddle, Dan Wilde on banjo and legendary bassist John Parker, it’s his best yet.

Memorial’s debut album is quite simply the most fragile, vulnerable, and intoxicatingly beguiling memorial to broken hearts you’ll hear this year.

At one point on Canyons & Highlands, Norrie McCulloch says “Every song tells us something about love”. You might not learn something you didn’t already know, but this beguiling album will certainly help bring it into perspective.

Big Ideas, the Edinburgh Americana outfit The Wynntown Marshals’ fourth album is finally here, and it’s a beaut. On the release of their 2010 debut, The Wynntown Marshals were hailed as Europe’s best Americana band. Nothing here suggests anything’s changed.