Mike Davies

Formed around husband and wife vocalists Enion Pelta-Tiller and David Tiller, Taarka’s music is a rootsy masala – the band’s name apparently comes from a term for the Indian spices roasted until they pop. The flavours are decidedly moreish.

Despite many of the songs being cloaked in darkness and despair, The Harmed Brothers self-titled release on Fluff and Gravy is a rewarding listen. As they say, “sometimes the rotten truth makes for a real good time.”

New Lore, is Sean Rowe’s fifth album, a fine showcase for his throaty, rumbling baritone and moodily affecting songs of loneliness and longing, augmented throughout by piano and strings. An album that infuses itself into your heart and soul.

Rodney Crowell’s ‘Close Ties’ is open and honest, apologetic and self-recriminatory, poignant and rich in the wisdom of hindsight and the years. Also featuring Roseanne Cash, Sheryl Crow and John Paul White, it’s not to be missed.

Donegal sisters Karen, Lorna and Joleen McLaughlin return as The Henry Girls for their sixth album ‘Far Beyond The Stars.’ Recorded and produced by Calum Malcolm in Donegal, it’s a truly stellar album.

The long wait for Shadowlands, the fourth album from Romantica, has paid dividends – 14 songs bear testament to their understated and introspective brand of Americana.

Having formerly fronted Danish trio Boho Dancer, Ida Wenøe now makes her solo debut with Time of Ghosts, an album that leans more towards their ethereal acid folk, blending Nordic and English folk influences.

Based on the west coast of Scotland, The Quiggs (husband and wife Pernille and Stephen) return with Seeds I Didn’t Sow – songs and memorable melodies worth revisiting again and again. Unquestionably one of the best folk albums of the year.

Ex-ahab singer Dave Burn has thankfully found time to release this debut solo album. He draws on personal experiences and his Americana influences to weave a reflective web…a place marker in the debut albums of the year list has been duly assigned.

Apparently, it was ‘The Brother Brothers’ contemporaries that had been urging them to make music together for some time. Thankfully they finally decided to listen. Now it’s your turn.

The music of Bristol-based The Nightjar demands to be listened to in an isolation chamber to allow it to seep into the pores, but, like the nocturnal bird after which the band are named, its near silent flight is unerring.

Norwegian singer-songwriter Torgeir Waldemar returns with new album ‘No Offending Borders,’ an album of surprising contemplative depth and musical variety. One worth seeking out.