Albums

Dusk could soon be considered one of the more important contemporary instrumental acoustic guitar recordings, and J. R. Bohannon a key player in the genre.

Of all the artists working within the rather loose confines of alternative folk The Livelong Day surely puts Lankum at the forefront. Writhing with the terror of our times one moment, then rising with indescribable heart and hunger the next; this is traditional song stretched and submerged.

Hannah Rose Platt follows up her well-received debut, Portraits, with a second set of variously musically lively and more reflective Americana-veined songs, featuring vocals from Sid Griffin and Danny George Wilson.

Eight albums in and it’s clear that Annie & Rodd Capps, while not looking to shake up the formula or push any envelopes, are holding their own on ‘When They Fall’.

The Peanut Butter Falcon is a story about what it means to be alive, living out your dreams and following where those dreams call you. Musically, the soundtrack follows a similar path merging styles and genres to detail a pathway between dreams and reality.

They can be cosmopolitan in one breath, ethereal in the next. Their songs can be sad and yearning or darkly humorous. Their arrangements can sound, almost at once, ancient and startlingly contemporary. The rapid evolution of Bird In The Belly into one of our finest folk acts is a joy to behold.

I could say that Terms of Surrender is infectious, intelligent and bewitching, but more than that, its just SO SO GOOD!!…the backbeat, the rhythm guitars, the hooks, but most of all the infectious and laid back tone and phrasing of lead man, M.C. Taylor

Fire Under the Bridge is almost relentless in its energy. This is joyful music and you just know that Pons Aelius are having fun making it. Lots of talent, lots of dynamism.

Despite a series of mishaps that would sink a lesser band, One Eleven Heavy seems to subscribe to the philosophy that whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Suffice it to say that based on Desire Path they keep getting stronger and stronger.

Saskatchewan-born singer-songwriter Zachary Lucky returns with new album ‘Midwestern’. Old school folk and country, sung from the heart with sentiments to which everyone can relate.

Music journalist Colin Irwin shares his thoughts on this year’s BBC Folk Awards – Manchester’s grand Bridgewater Hall provided plenty of talking points, a bit of glitz and one particular moment that falls into the ‘not a dry eye in the sparkling water’ category.

With ‘Chosen Daughter’, Maz O’Connor presents a very personal but equally universal album that is veined, as per the title, both with the a sense of being wanted and the need to feel so, let it bring out the very best of your musical maternal instincts.