Mike Davies

Featuring the Afro Celts, Teddy Thompson, Eliza Carthy, Green Gartside, Jackie Oates, Marry Waterson, Stealing Sheep, Honeyfeet and lots more, there’s more than enough invention, inspiration and at times outright eccentricity to ensure there’s something that’ll push your instant replay button.

A simple and homespun album, conjuring earlier, less complicated, more innocent times when folk would work side by side for the common good and come together to play and enjoy music at the end of the day, celebrating the life they had and the memories they cherished. There’s a  glow here.

A hugely personal album with universally recognisable feelings that range from despondency to euphoria, it takes a while to seep inside your mind and spirit, but, as with a bruised and broken heart, it’s worth persevering so as to experience the relief of  it beating again.

One of the year’s finest albums, Daria Kulesh’s ‘Earthly Delights’ extends the Russian folklore and heritage that characterised its predecessor, Long Lost Home.

Kelly Hunt puts her vintage Depression-era calfskin tenor banjo to good use on her debut album, a collection of often story-led self-penned songs – we strongly suggest you should keep an eye on this sparrow.

Cricket Blue’s lyrics and influences are beautifully couched and lovingly incorporated, resulting in a fresh sounding, true delight of an album that fully deserves to provide the serotiny to see the duo blossom from germination into full radiant bloom.

Already a sizeable chart success and with a  UK tour lined up for October, Sutherland has spent most of his adult inhabiting characters and life telling stories. This is firm evidence that he can do it with behind a guitar just as well as he can do it in front of a camera.

Now performing as a duo The Maes latest self-titled offering is a terrific softly brushed folksy Americana album and as sublime as ever. Go on and treat yourself.

After two self-released albums, Nashville-based Americana singer-songwriter Caroline Spence has deservedly been signed to a major independent label. This release finds her in mint condition indeed and assured a place in the albums of the year list.

Breathing fresh life into the acoustic tradition while staying true to its heritage, Michell is one of the brightest new names to have emerged full-grown on the country’s folk scene in recent years.

Josh Ritter’s Fever Breaks easily ranks among his very best, not to mention his most political. This is the kind of album people have been waiting for from Springsteen in response to Trump’s America. Ritter has saved him the time.

The Mountain Goats remain something of a cult with a devoted following which will rightly see this as one of their greatest triumphs. Any collateral fallout in terms of reaching new ears will be a deserved bonus.