Albums

Alasdair Roberts and Völvur’s “The Old Fabled River” is full of subtle mirrors, the dualism and continuity of life, pairs and opposites…a satisfyingly literary accomplishment, but also humane and wild and as vividly detailed as we’ve come to expect from anything Roberts is involved in.

Defying expectations…Jay Hammond’s Trippers & Askers collective has created something groundbreaking and completely unexpected. Acorn is not simply the tale of a new start, through this music it has become an unexpected pathway to new lines of thought and communication.

Portas is Marisa Monte’s first solo album in more than ten years. It’s a sunny, breezy delight that showcases, alongside Monte’s honeyed voice, equally talented musicians including Seu Jorge. It’s a strong album that should garner her more fans and well-deserved accolades.

His first new material in six years, Downhill From Everywhere finds Jackson Browne on vintage form, marrying hummable melodies to both perceptive social commentary lyrics and love songs. As far as his albums go, this is a glorious high.

With blues-playing of the highest virtuosic calibre, Charlie Parr’s “Last Of The Better Days Ahead” is an engrossing, captivating album from a tireless innovator. Indeed, this release marks something emphatically new in his illustrious career.

A celebration of life in both its highs and lows, memories of things lost and thankfulness for what is still held, these Two Days In Terlingua with Bard Edrington V will make your listening week.

Triage is played to perfection by Crowell and his assembled contributors, as he asks us to consider the priorities in a world that desperately needs healing.

With ‘Torus’, James Lindsay challenges our preconceptions of music made using traditional instruments. This is music that demands your attention and pays you back handsomely.

Setting his crisis of confidence to music, Steve Dawson’s At the Bottom of a Canyon in the Branches of a Tree offers a renewal of hope. We’ve never needed that more.

After an eight-year hiatus, post-folk collective Fuzzy Lights return with Burials…”A stirring and unsettling listen” with plenty of breath-taking moments.

On ‘For Free’, David Crosby sounds re-invigorated by the connections he makes with his art and these recordings. Fans and new converts will find much to love on this album which spotlights all that is fine about the man and his pure voice.

Breda Mayock’s “Waves” is a memorable EP that confirms her place as one of the country’s most alluring and interesting artists. Graceful, elegant and, above all, a tremendously impressive listen.