Mike Davies

Joshua Fletcher has been reassessing his songwriting, looking inward rather than casting stones at others, coming to fruition in this sophomore offering, produced by Alex Dezen of the Damnwells.

Featuring fellow Scots Steve Crawford and Pete Coutts, alongside German multi-instrumenatlist Sascha ‘Salossi’ Loss and Crawford’s long-term songwriting partner Davy Cattanach, Ballad of Crows has strong echoes of late 70s/early 80s Laurel Canyon and its attendant soft folk rock vibe. Certainly one to check.

On Declaration, Australian folk duo Kate Burke and Ruth Hazleton demonstrate how less can be more, this is a both a very welcome return and an enticing introduction to the duo’s embarking upon new paths down a familiar route.

Further West is the third album from husband and wife duo Hungrytown. Bringing together English and American folk traditions it may not be the most optimistic of albums, but it most certainly is one that gets into your pores.

Megan Henwood’s debut announced her as a promising new voice on the contemporary English folk scene; Head Heart Hand confirms her as one of its finest exponents.

The latest travellers down the Appalachian path are The Honeycutters who hail from Asheville in North Carolina. Fronted by Amanda Platt, Me Oh My, their third album, is likely to be the one that brings them mainstream attention. There’s not a track here that doesn’t stand hearing again and again.

The End of the Golden Age is the third album from Scotland’s The Wynntown Marshals. Whilst better known north of the border this latest release looks set to rectify that.

My Darling Clementine team up with Solihull-born crime and mystery novelist Mark Billingham for ‘The Other Half’ – a new original story by Billingham, inspired by and woven around songs from the duo. It’s set in a rundown Memphis bar, not far from Sun Studios, where Marcia, a former Las Vegas showgirl, alone and estranged from her daughter, works double shifts to keep her head above water.

On Burn The Plan, the Good lovelies fourth studio album, they’ve broadened their horizons to take in a touch of electronics. Whilst this could have seen everything go up in smoke it instead looks like a definite blaze of glory.

The Bournemouth EP is the latest offering from the fresh-faced, mountain-air voiced Norwich singer-songwriter Jess Morgan, one which proves yet again what a dazzling talent she is.

For her latest project Juno winner Keri Latimer has teamed up with husband Devin Latimer as Leaf Rapids, named after a town in north west Manitoba. Lucky Star is a countrified flavoured album with a pleasing breadth of variety to please the ear.

The songs here may have been gathering dust, but, brought out into the light, they have produced a hugely listenable and enjoyable album, a  perfect soulful accompaniment to summer and further evidence of Robins’ fabulous voice and huge talent.