Mike Davies

Chasing Ghosts is Philip Marino’s best yet, a 10-track collection of predominantly acoustic-based Americana that harks to such influences as John Mellencamp, Dylan, Cat Stevens and Neil Young. Seek him out. 

Featuring Christian Sedelmyer and Rachel Baiman, 10 String Symphony’s latest album finds them pushing the musical boundaries of their instrumentation with Kris Drever on production.

Securing a  wider platform following its American release last year, Will Stewart’s solo debut offers up a solid set of classic styled guitar-driven country rock. A county seat is an administrative centre from which legislation for the region is handed down. Checking out this album should be a matter of policy.

Jason McNiff’s been gathering increasing acclaim since he made his debut and it’s long overdue for that to be matched by greater  commercial success. With the label behind him, Joy and Independence might just be the one to crack the ceiling.

Described as a modern-day hippie-spiritual, the latest offering from Israel Nash is expansive and intimate, personal and universal, spawned of despair but fuelled by hope, it flies on a  higher plane. Book a seat.

As an instrument sounding a clarion call for self-awareness and awakening in a divisive world, Gilkyson is finely tuned and Secularia a career-defining musical apotheosis.

While the songs are described as brutal in emotional suggestion, it’s Faraone’s disarming confessional tones and the overall, cumulative lo-fi and often shimmering folk beauty that draws you in and keeps you in its arms.

One of the year’s finest releases, both a brilliant introduction to Reg Meuross’ work for newcomers and a superb collection of reworkings for long-standing admirers.

Following the release of her 2015 album, The Ones That Got Away, Paisley-born Jill Jackson returns with her very fine new album “Are We There Yet?’ which was produced by Boo Hewerdine.

At times nakedly exposed, at others complexly layered, introverted yet expansive, it marks a major stride forward in their musical journey, one which, it is hoped will find the travelling companions it so fully deserves.

Brighton-based quartet Hatful of Rain return with a downpour of riches melding together their Celtic, American and English folk influences that have seen their stock increasingly rise since their debut release back in 2012.

Karen Jonas’ third album ‘Butter’ is her broadest offering yet covering folk and country roots as well as ragtime, blues, jazz and barroom soul. “It’s about baking my cake and eating it too.”