Albums

‘From Newman Street’ is further evidence of Kassi Valazza’s ability to vividly convey emotion through her melodic sensibilities, with its strong musical accompaniment standing in marked contrast to her crystal clear vocal – pleasantly wrong-footing the listener throughout.

Thematically and musically, Between The Covers is unlike anything Paul Armfield’s done before; it’s a literary and literally gorgeous listen that deserves the musical equivalent of a Booker prize.

With Taba, Satomimagae has created a work of art full of wonder and mystery that builds upon itself in the most surprising ways. It speaks a different musical language, but learning that language is a joy and a reward in itself.

Compositions for Guitar Vol. 1 & 2 reveal Will Graefe as an artist not limited to a single form. He creates music that moves the mind and soul, whether using strings and steel or synthesis.

Fred Moten & Brandon Lopez’s ‘Revision’ offers a unique hybrid of voice and double bass, intertwined impossibly as one in a recital that lives, breathes, evolves, explores, changes and expresses as one in an impossibly unrepetitive hour of sonic splendour.

While short, Samantha Whates and M G Boulter’s ‘Flower Days’ wastes no notes. A deeply felt and humane work, full of quiet joy and love of life and nature, this fresh and evocative release is one to savour.

Following their 2012 debut, Màiri Morrison and Alasdair Roberts reunite on ‘Remembered in Exile: Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia’. It’s a beautiful and glimmering album on which they also demonstrate how to wring intense emotions from the most minimal of ingredients.

When Bitchin Bajas and Natural Information Society get together, a singular kind of magic emerges that epitomises the creative spirit of the Chicago scene but is nevertheless unique. ‘Totality’ is the fullest possible rendering of that magic and an essential piece of work.

All of the tracks on MIIEN feel like journeys, proof that MIEN truly understand the psychedelic assignment. They have the will and the talent to take us into the unknown and do so in unexpected and diverse ways.

With Time Indefinite, William Tyler has hit a new creative peak, seamlessly blending excellent guitar work with a heavy dose of the strange, and it works really well. Dare I suggest it’s his strongest album? Yeah, I do.

Zoé Basha’s impressive debut album, Gamble, contains a wealth of complex emotional layers, but at its heart is the joy of making new and truly exciting music.

It’s over five years since the last Sacred Paws album, but Jump Into Life is well worth the wait. It feels like the most fully realised example of their intriguing vision, tapping into a truly global set of influences to produce something complex and personal.