Mike Davies

David Keenan’s ‘What Then?”, builds on his phenomenal debut in the same way that Finnegan’s Wake was a quantum leap for Joyce, a defining work of visceral genius from a soul aflame with both the poetry of his ancestors and the fire of the future.

While the choice of material on “Songs Of Love & Death” may not offer any surprises, there’s no questioning the freshness and resonance of the interpretations or the sheer class that Reg Meuross, Harbottle & Jonas bring.

Marla and David Celia return with Indistinct Chatter, an album that covers themes around our throw-away society, capitalism and compassion…while they never labour the point they’re making, their whisper is far more effective than the scream.

Will Varley’s ‘The Hole Around My Head’ contains some of the best material he’s written to date. It’s a magnificent album that mines diamonds of hope from the rock of despair

Featuring music that spans her vibrant 24-year career, Sarah McQuaid’s ‘The St Buryan Sessions’ is a wonderful, expressive and intimate live album from a consummate performer.

Afterlight is indisputably one of her very best. The former Thea Gilmore can justifiably stand back and be proud of the new woman, the new artist she has become. Long may the Afterlight shine.

While it’s a departure from his more familiar Americana sound, Danny George Wilson’s latest offering will indeed take you to “another place”, one that’s well worth the journey. 

Noel McKay was first discovered by the late Guy Clark who considered him a kindred spirit. This immensely listenable album is firm evidence of his excellent judgement.

Overall, Jon Patrick Walker’s ‘The Rented Tuxedo…’ is a fairly whimsical listen of slightly shaggy dog tales, but like that rented tuxedo, it still dresses to impress.

If there is any justice, Connectivity, Grace Petrie’s ninth studio recording, should finally break the charts with its wealth of crowd-friendly, hook-laden, anthemic singalong choruses of folk-rock and country-tinged songs about love and life.

“For Now”, the new solo debut from Christian Glackas as Merciful Heavens may be a tentative start to striking out on his own but will certainly do nicely for now.

While the well-reviewed film is currently doing the rounds, The Tape album stands perfectly on its own without the need for a visual narrative, a glowing testament to Martha Tilston’s ever-burgeoning songwriting, musical and vocal brilliance.