Phil Vanderyken

Black Light Theatre is a guitar-driven, neo-psychedelic smorgasbord of sound and texture showcasing Jack Cheshire’s introspective songwriting, his solid Television-inspired guitar work and his band’s mastery of dynamics and tight musicianship.

On Laissez Passer, TootArd, a young, trailblazing band from the Golan Heights, show that the direst of circumstances can produce inspiring and uplifting music that will open up your mind and make you move your feet.

Comprised of folk/bluegrass musicians Paddy Kiernan and Niall Hughes together with Iranian born brothers Shahab and Shayan Coohe, Navá explores the ancient musical cultures of Ireland and Persia.

Jeremy Tuplin may be the missing link between Nick Drake and ‘Space Oddity”-era Bowie. “I dreamt I was an Astronaut” is an engaging piece of work, blending excellent folk-based songwriting with creative and gently overarching production that fittingly frames Tuplin’s songs.

Ladilikan is a bold fusion of the musical traditions from the West courtesy of Kronos Quartet and those of Africa, via Trio Da Kali on which Western tempered scale instruments blend seamlessly with traditional African instruments, creating a wonderful musical hybrid that is engaging, fascinating and irresistible.

Roselit Bone are a band with a dark and beautiful vision all their own, and judging from the yellow school bus that serves as their touring vehicle, they have the determination to pursue their dreams and ambitions. Good things are in store for them.

I Asked My Friends To Cover My Songs And This Is What They Came Up With is an eclectic and adventurous release that has plenty of tongue-in-cheek silliness, tons of quirky off the wall creativity and some genuinely touching moments.

John Murry’s ‘A Short History of Decay’ is a gripping album, sonically adventurous, by an iconoclastic artist who made a career out of transforming tragedy and hardship into stark beauty.

Enderby’s Room is a touching collection of minimalist lo-fi folk songs, with nods to indie-pop and traditional folk. To be savoured slowly and gently like a glass of well-aged wine.

Little Me Time finds Latham recording outside of his home studio for the first time, enlisting an ensemble of local talent. Anti-folk has come a long way from the early days at Sidewalk Café, and, as demonstrated here, the music industry is a more colourful place because of it.

Future Melancholy Pop Music is a record to be savoured, slowly and patiently, and gently allow yourself to get drawn into Johnno Casson’s unique lyrical and musical universe.

Wandering Heart is an understated affair that occasionally leaps for the stars, perhaps an apt metaphor for Brooke’s vocals. It’s an intricate, lovingly crafted album that showcases a singer/songwriter on top of her game.

Grain by Grain is a sweet, heartwarming record, made with love and passion, that should introduce Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards to the wider audience they clearly deserve.

Mendrugo is a beautiful collaboration between musicians from different cultures who share a deep love for their respective musical traditions and an irreverent, and irresistible, sense of fun. There should be more records made like this.

Every song stands on its own two feet and the playing, recording and production are all confident and robust. From the Stillhouse may not be a groundbreaking record, but its inventive combination of bluegrass and outlaw country makes it a welcome addition to the world of modern-day traditionalist musicians.

My Bubba are a Scandinavian folk duo of Guðbjörg Tómasdóttir and My Larsdotter. They both sing, sometimes taking turns singing lead, often harmonizing. The result is lovely, a quiet explosion of smouldering beauty.

Ichi is a welcome addition to the world of experimental music with a combination of childlike wonder, a wacky sense of humour and seemingly boundless creativity.

An interesting addition to the oeuvres of both Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy and the Bitchin Bajas as their respective muses find common ground in this adventurous and intriguing release.