Mike Davies

Luke Winslow-King’s fourth album draws extensively on the musical roots his adopted home of New Orleans. A stylistically diverse but cohesive collection of fine Southern blues.

Even when the subject matter’s downbeat Police Dog Hogan find positivity and deliver it with the sort of buoyancy and verve as they so ably demonstrate on their new album.

I Can’t Wait is the long overdue sophomore return of Fayssoux an album that will most certainly kindle a warm glow in those who hear it.

Caroline Rose’s latest release I Will Not Be Afraid is a raw album fuelled by tough, rootless life, but also one with the freedom to live, act and say how and what she wants.

San Diego-based quartet Sister Speak deliver an impressive debut that with the right exposure, should firmly establish them as a fresh new name on the alt-roots circuit.

Formerly part of the Texas all-girl outfit The Trishas, Kelley Mickwee makes an impressive launch on her own path with ‘You Used To Live Here’.

Adam Cohen, son of Leonard, releases his fifth album just a couple of weeks before his father’s. But whatever living ghosts may haunt it, this is very much an album by Cohen Jr, not Cohen Sr.

Yet another outstanding album from Meuross, who sings with conviction, understated power and gentle passion and should, by rights, be far better known and celebrated than he is.

Break & Bloom is the debut solo album from Jane Kramer. An album which shows no shortage of fertile ground upon which she will definitely bloom.

With Beth Nielsen Chapman picking them as her backing band and support act for a UK tour, Red Sky July’s second album seems destined already to do well.

Catherine MacLellan’s past albums have seen her compared to Joni, the young Emmylou and Gillian Welch, but on ‘The Raven’s Sun’ she has truly found a voice of her own.

Yorick Cormack, erstwhile principal songwriter with Glasgow’s Endrick Brothers releases his solo album under the guise of ‘First Charge of the Light Brigade’.