Albums

The core sound of Project SMOK is whistle (or pipes), guitar and bodhrán, and it is one that has already earned them an enviable reputation as a live band, Bayview is ideally suited to spreading that reputation further.

Twenty-one years ago Hefner released one of the finest break-up and make-up albums of its era. To say that Hayman has done it again may be a bit reductive – in no sense at all is this a nostalgia trip, quite the opposite in fact – but nonetheless, this is one of the finest records of a consistently brilliant and varied solo career.

Osborne sings, I’ve got three chords and the truth / I’m going to put them to good use, and in the case of this stunning album no truer words could she have uttered. This album is intimate, true, beautiful, and real – a very, very special record.

A super quality live album that both serves as a broad showcase for the music of one of the modern era’s most gifted singer-songwriter’s, in the classic style of such craftsmen, and a pristine document of a great night out on the live circuit in late 2019.

Thanks to The Danberrys the future is in good hands, hands that understand how to make steel sing and songs that are a salve for broken spirits. Shine does just that, providing a wellspring of hope during trying times.

Blood is thicker than water, and the familial bond of Sara and Sean Watkins is undeniable. More than just sister and brother they are kindred spirits, creating music that appeals to both body and soul. The Watkins Family Hour continues the journey of two musicians on the lifelong pathway of brother sister.

The Burying Ground return with A Look Back, another absolute charmer featuring their achingly cool, though gritty blend of acoustic country-blues, old-timey, ragtime, gospel and folk.

Touchstones. Talismans. Certain pieces of music have the ability to transport you to a different dimension – Last Flight Out merges the landscape between folk and jazz, it approaches the sublime with subtlety and grace.

Jurado is the perfect songwriter for these strange times. He is wistful without ever wallowing in nostalgia, and he balances heartbreak with hope in a way that few artists can. This represents some of his finest work to date.

Bet On Love is another warm, homespun, pure folk gem from the Romeros, who are such naturals within their sonic realm that they possess the knack of making it sound totally effortless.

At once playful, focused, narratively strong and highly respectful of heritage, Atlantic Edge is a triumph of musical prowess and a master class in beautifully blending traditional music with classical styles. It is an exceptional album.

Elkington’s Ever-Roving Eye is a compelling, characterful and mesmerising album. Listening to its intricate layerings and meticulous, deliquescent fingerpicking, one can well understand the desire he had for perfection.