Mike Davies

There’s no faulting this impressive and career-making debut from Kashena Sampson which finally gets a UK release in time for a string of UK dates.

On his 11th album, Michael McDermott’s confidence and talent have finally aligned. Both personally and musically, he’s become the person he was always meant to be. His best yet.

The Poozies new album ‘Punch’ is the first to feature new recruits Tia Files and Sarah McFadyen. Like the title, the album possesses an underlying sense of drive and energy, of vim, verve and sheer pizzaz.

The Magic Numbers return following a four-year hiatus with the release of Outsiders. “You ain’t got that magic anymore”, sings Romeo. Don’t believe a word of it.

An album best heard in those tranquil twilight or early dawn moments when the consciousness floats free and the air takes on a beguiling luminescence, it seeps over you like warm water opening your pores.

A consummate artistic triumph that marks a new phase in McQuaid’s career – a mature and hugely confident musical and stylistic progression that deserves to be applauded as such.

The big-voiced Belfast-based singer-songwriter Matt McGinn returns with his third studio album ‘The End of the Common Man’, his strongest and most confident step forward to date.

Recorded against the backdrop of division brought out about by the Trump election Birds of Chicago deliver an album of positivity: “We want to give people some good news, and we want them to be able to dance when they hear it.” Consider both boxes duly ticked.

Two years on from their critically adored duo debut, Before The Sun, Hannah Sanders and Ben Savage return with an even more accomplished collection. A new phase in their music and the perfect match.

A glorious album. Daniel Meade really deserves to be far better known than he is, this album makes you want to go up and down the nation’s streets, knocking on doors and playing it to whoever answers.

A hypnotic, imaginative and unique approach to contemporary urban folk that marks them out as one of the most distinctive names to have emerged in the past few years.

Featuring assorted members of Son Volt, Sera Cahoone and Rose Windows, and fronted by singer-songwriter Mike Giacolino, Hyways are a hirsute Seattle quartet trading in psychedelic-coloured cosmic country rock.