Mike Davies

Brighton-based Californian singer-songwriter Ed Prosek’s EP ‘The Riverbed’ arrives, a six tracker showcasing his often intimate style and introspective lyrics.

Whilst Varda remains as much an enigma as he did with his 1989 debut, preferring the music to provide his biography this is very much an album to cherish.

These tribute albums can often be a hit and miss affair but between the quality of the source material and the calibre of the interpreters, there’s no weak link in this chain.

Work and Love is an album about taking the next, sometimes scary step into a grown up world. On this evidence, Elliott Brood have their feet planted on solid ground.

Cheltenham-based trio The Hawthornes make an impression on Mike who reviews their DIY debut EP – songs based around themes of relationships, insecurity and being mixed up.

With an impressive array of Canadian guest artists including Ron Sexsmith and a voice that can straddle Harris and Welch with ease, Suzie Ungerleider remains, as always, an engaging listen.

Despite the number of funerals that went into the creation of this album Christine Albert offers a sense of peace, acceptance and hope, greatly helped by her warm honey vocals.

Born in small town Texas, reared in Forth Worth and now based in Nashville, Cale Tyson’s second EP pays testament to the roots of his country raising.

Have just completed his UK tour Ian Sherwood’s latest release ‘Everywhere To Go’ features some well crafted, highly listenable songs.

The Stray Birds simplicity and the honest expression in de Vitry’s pure voice are the heart of their appeal, they certainly won over our reviewer with their latest offering.

Jess Klein’s ninth studio album Learning Faith is not only one of the best things she’s ever recorded, but this is unquestionably the finest album of her impressive career.

The Earls of Leicester includes Jerry Douglas and Tim O’Brien paying homage to bluegrass legends Flatt and Scruggs…Short of a time machine, this is the closest thing to having actually been there.