Mike Davies

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.

An alluring and beautifully sung album about the timeless vicissitudes and valedictions of love, May Erlewine’s Tiny Beautiful Things understands the heart and soothes the hurt.

With a family history that embraces legendary bluegrass outfit the Whitetop Mountain Band, Martha Spencer has a lot to live up to, but with this fabulous album, she more than does her heritage proud.

Lifetime Achievement is Loudon Wainwright III’s first album of new original songs since 2014’s Haven’t Got The Blues Yet. It’s a wonderful delight from start to finish.

Watkins Family Hour Vol ii is an immensely enjoyable snapshot of how far this project, and its ever-evolving musical community, have come in the 20 years since its inception at its Largo nightclub base and where the future might take it.

Despite the flawed and honest characters of Anna Tivel’s songs, with their troubling emotions and struggles with mental health, Outsiders is low-key and quietly optimistic. Masterfully crafted and performed, it is her finest work yet.

With Love is the Only Thing, Peter Mulvey and Sistastrings find refuge and rejuvenation in songs that deliver an uplifting reminder of the common humanity we share.

Ahead of Gretchen Peters’ 25th Anniversary UK Tour, The Show captures a singular artist at the peak of her powers, covering a 22-year spectrum of outstanding songs.