Albums

A perfect illustration of how even an ad-hoc Findlay Napier album becomes a  captivating, indispensable work, it is what it is and what it is, is magnificent.

dreamcreatures draws its power from enigmatic sources: there is a tension between Webb’s self-confessed lack of confidence and his evident and supreme gifts as a songwriter and singer. It all makes for a raw, quietly uncompromising and thoroughly engrossing listen.

Old-timey acoustic bluesman Mark Harrison makes a welcome return with ‘The Road to Liberty’ that offers up a mirror to our troubles and challenges…while he might not be able to solve them, he still makes us smile as we go through them.

With their incredible debut record, Wyndow capture the contradictory feelings of uncertainty and familiarity of the last 18 months into this experimental time capsule of beautiful melodies, ethereal vocal layers, and powerful lyrics.

Ashley Shadow’s voice seems able to transform the bleak moments on Only the End. She has reached a place of acceptance, where the world is not so overbearing…a woman on a journey.

While Tony Kamel appears to have a healthy sense of respect for traditions, Back Down Home doesn’t kowtow to any particular genre, making it all the richer an experience.

Produced by husband Neilson Hubbard, Neon Dream is Audrey Spillman’s first album since 2016’s Thornbird. To appreciate its nuances, listen to it without other distractions to let its listening pleasures unfold. It will be time well spent.

This is another outstanding example of how the pandemic has resulted in artists reconfiguring the way they approach their craft, finding new pathways while building on their established foundations. Between Us marks a new pinnacle in Ana Egge’s career of consistent highs.

Rewilding is majestic music. Dan Brown, the writer, lead-musician and producer, has a promising future, as do all the contributors here who must share some due credit for the outcome.

While some may call Heavy Elevator a burst of fresh air, it seems more like a gale-force wind. Hawk seems to be the man of the moment and he feels up to the task of taking music into places it hasn’t often gone before.

Katy Rose Bennett’s ‘Alone on A Hill’ is a markedly unique release, which many will consider brave. She is to be applauded for pushing boundaries and creating a truly fascinating and intriguing album.

There are rare coins indeed lurking in Spencer Cullum’s Coin Collection, the kind most people dream about but never actually find. He has a gift for merging forms and styles in ways that simply transform the musical landscape.