Mike Davies

Kingmaker is Tami Neilson’s fifth studio album, “Ain’t you heard me sing?” she asks; if you have, you know she well deserves that crown.

You need to look no further than Peculiar, Missouri, for proof of Willi Carlisle’s brilliance as a songwriter and performer. An outstanding collection of songs channelled through his punk background and his current folk stylings, influenced by the music of the Ozarks.

‘What I Wanted’ is a strikingly confident leap into new musical and stylistic territory for Maz O’Connor, but never losing sight of her established core strengths – her voice and lyrics…I suspect this is just the start of many wonders to come.

48 Hours With David Ford And Annie Dressner is an unassuming but rather lovely collection of songs. If they can do this in two days, imagine what wonders a week might produce.

The Hackensaw Boys is an invigorating statement of who they are and, more to the point, where they’re going. For the faithful and new arrivals alike, it promises to be a rewarding journey.

Ready For The Times is a testament to both Williams and Catlow’s individual musical talents and the chemistry they spark in each other as a duo.

A singular talent in the contemporary folk world, Bella Hardy returns with a terrific blend of traditional and original songs for her 10th solo album ‘Love Songs’.

As with her filmmaking, Haroula Rose proves herself a highly skilled singer-songwriter talent with an album that mesmerisingly captures the light of the human heart and spirit like the sun reflecting off crystal waters.

On Emma Guzman’s “Something Less Than Alone”, her words, music and voice elevate this far beyond the realms of the ordinary; she may well be the next Courtney Marie Andrews.

Featuring a number of special guests and reflecting on both love and loss, Dark Enough To See The Stars is another magnificent reminder that few shine as brightly as Mary Gauthier.

Paper Hearts and Broken Arrows is lush and raw, personal and narrative, all seasoned with Rod Picott’s matured voice. He says it might be the best album he’s made. I think he may be right.

On Cristina Vane’s ‘Make Myself Me Again’, she delves deeper into her Delta blues influences, delivering a top class blues album that places her up there with some of the best.