Albums

Just one airing of the five songs present on J.R. Proctor’s EP was evidence enough for me to keep close tabs on his future releases. With such an assured, relaxed sound this should set him well on his way.

It’s an old myth that there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but seek out Ian Roland and The Subtown Set’s ‘Double Rainbow’ and you’ll be well-rewarded.

With Hypernova, Jiggy returns to pull off the same magic act, this time with an even larger cast of characters bringing yet more diversity and inspiration. An album that is a joy to listen to whether you’re up dancing or sat in your armchair.

I am moved not only by William Prince’s stately songs but also by his eloquent message in the sleeve-notes.  A compelling storytelling songwriter that has justifiably been compared to John Prine, Townes Van Zandt and Kris Kristofferson.

As a unit, Darling West are solid, assured and continue to embark on a cosmic journey that this record shows, is unfolding with a bold maturity…a super quality album.

Like the sound of the wind in the reeds from which Yeats took inspiration, Abbé’s music is full of shifting natural beauty, whispers and sighs that could be sounds of sorrow or of love. Numberless Dreams is masterful in its delivery and intriguing in its opacity.

Touching on both loneliness and the need for solitude, Cousins has reached within and emerged with an album that fully rewards on both a musical and emotional level. There’s no false bravado here.

A terrific follow-up to her 2014 sophomore album, Undercover finds Bronwynne Brent exploring broader influences resulting in a far jazzier sound. An irresistible album. Don’t miss her upcoming UK tour dates.

The sisters say the journey to making this album has been a transformative experience… In Roman mythology, the reign of Saturn was regarded as a Golden Age, With Saturn’s Return, the Secret Sisters have entered theirs.

An exceedingly intriguing record, as notable for its deceptively vulnerable character as for its compact, concentrated expressiveness. Diana also confirms herself to be a writer of considerable insight and a performer of no mean sensitivity.

Aoife Nessa Frances has untapped a natural spring of expression and realised the strongest of debuts. This music is all about alerting your inner senses, the silent self that occupies a less defined dreamscape and it works spectacularly well if you are of a mind to go on that journey.

Cup O’Joe have all bases covered…Be it banjo to bass, vocals to violin, every phrase and fill is a complete work in itself. If Americana and Bluegrass is a descendant of Irish and Ulster Scots music, then Cup O’ Joe have brought it home and taught it a lesson.