Mike Davies

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.

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.