Albums

A soundtrack for inner landscapes, Nightwater exists in a world we never expected to enter. While we struggle with new realities Gabriel Birnbaum allows us to explore a never neverland of the everyday. What we see depends on where we look. Examine carefully.

iyatraQuartet’s music is a timely reminder of that all-important link between people and their art, and Break The Dawn exists as a complex, stunningly-performed artefact that offers a little hope in dark times.

Tom Kitching’s latest album ‘Seasons of Change’ is accompanied by his book of the same name in which he shares his experiences of busking around England – a book that shows whatever the situation, this England is so full of life, accompanied by an album of music that is as equally full.

It’s a real pleasure to welcome Eliza into our living-rooms again, and her latest batch of thought-provoking and unusually contoured songs is presented in the context of a fruitful new musical collaboration – so come to the cabaret!

2020 is a collection of songs that serve both as a call to arms and a reminder of the beauty and decency that still exists. Fuelled by resonant songs that are both about and for the world today, this is an album of the year in more than just its title.

If Ocie Elliott continue to produce material as gorgeous as their flawless output to date it’s just a matter of time before they’re widely regarded as rightfully belonging to the upper echelon of timeless folk duos, alongside the greats.  Truly lovely stuff.

A compelling listen from beginning to end. Here, the inordinate beauty of Appalachian old-time and chamber music melds together inextricably to deliver one of the most enchanting and satisfying albums I’m bound to hear this year.

The enigmatic wordplay of Nels Andrews’ beautiful 4th album, Pigeon and the Crow, is a creation possessing many of the same qualities as Midlake and Spheeris records. In the field of literary folk music, Pigeon and the Crow certainly is a winner.

Creating outsized sonic landscapes, Girl Skin illustrates an uncanny ability to evoke the grandeur in everyday relationships. Shade Is On The Other Side leaves listeners in awe of Sid Simons’ ability concoct symphonic folk music…homemade masterpieces.

Siobhan Miller’s All Is Not Forgotten is a perfect antidote for these unsettled times. She brings out the best in a musical landscape, from traditional to modern. Along the way, we all share the experiences that help us weather the sorrows and the joys life offers.

As well as offering a career snapshot for the faithful, this serves as a handy enticement to newcomers to dig further into Dean Owens’ catalogue and discover what they’ve been missing.

With Oneiric Formulary, Sir Richard Bishop is certainly not trying to do anything predictable – the result is a roller-coaster of a success. What a crazed, beautiful and brilliant riot of a record.