Mike Davies

While The Lostines’ eclectic yet familiar musical influences connect with the listener across their debut album, there is far more going on beneath the surface that makes this duo’s lyrical tales all the more alluring. It’s definitely time for more people to meet them.

With an underlying theme of home, and featuring a number of co-writers and guest musicians, Ben Glover’s ‘And The Sun Breaks Through The Sky’ is a top-notch addition to an already outstanding catalogue.

Marlinchen In The Snow, the fourth studio album from Australian sibling duo Charm Of Finches soothes and disturbs in equal measure, whimsical but wise, like the bird in the fairy tale, it rises to sing the truth.

“Already allocated a place in my albums of the year” – Both dark and profoundly moving, a confessional and a prayer, John Moreland’s ‘Visitor’ takes him back to basics, with an emphasis on his voice and his words.

Featuring guests Steven Adams, Polly Paulusma and Boo Hewerdine, “I Thought It Would Be Easier”, Annie Dressner’s fourth studio album, finds her transforming moments of sadness into moments of musical joy.

India Electric Co. takes a giant leap forward with Pomegranate, a highly textured and musically adventurous album. Just as the pomegranate symbolised death and regeneration, the album has a framework of contrasts and shifting states; the seeds within are glistening jewels.

With their name capturing both their affection for the musical past and the forgive-and-forget nature of many of the songs, The Bygones is a real delight of a debut and the foundation of a bright future ahead.

Featuring a glittering array of guests, Ben Nicholls’ ‘Duets’ is a highly immersive and, at times, illuminative listening experience…a great album from a musician whose talents go way beyond that of the sought-after sideman.

Mind, Man, Medicine finds The Secret Sisters at the peak of their powers, delivering an album that fully deserves another Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album.

Nobel Jacks frontman Will Page makes his solo debut album Still Standing featuring Cormac Byrne and Steve Knightley of Show of Hands. An impressive and, at times, inspirational album.

All My Friends is Aoife O’Donovan’s finest yet. Veined with intimate personal and political passion, it’s a timely, broader testament to the power of the community of women to bring about change.

John Smith’s ‘The Living Kind’ is an understatedly emotional and introspectively melancholic celebration of hope and light in the face of despair and darkness…It’s a masterpiece.