Albums

Thom Ashworth is in the vanguard of a new generation of protest singers. His songwriting is political, intelligent and full of impact. Outstanding.

Front Porch is a wonderfully conceived and unselfconscious piece of work that is heartfelt and honest. Joy Williams has really hit her stride with this one, the album brims with warmth, an unassuming beauty.

Bold Champions is a magnificent release, showcasing traditional, mainly English, folk music at its very best. The Dovetail Trio dare to boldly go where others fear to tread and will surely receive fully-deserved success and plaudits.

A simple and homespun album, conjuring earlier, less complicated, more innocent times when folk would work side by side for the common good and come together to play and enjoy music at the end of the day, celebrating the life they had and the memories they cherished. There’s a  glow here.

A hugely personal album with universally recognisable feelings that range from despondency to euphoria, it takes a while to seep inside your mind and spirit, but, as with a bruised and broken heart, it’s worth persevering so as to experience the relief of  it beating again.

Throughout ‘Natural Selection’, it’s Dodo Street’s absolute mastery of the instruments that shines through. While the virtuosity on display is breath-taking, it is the way that musical expertise is combined with a streak of anarchic fun that makes the album so entertaining.

With Solo, Amy Thatcher not only puts herself on the map as one of the masters of the accordion but she also further cements her reputation as a fearless experimenter within British folk music. A joy to listen to.

Small World Turning is another splendid collection of songs from one of the UK’s top songwriters, still very much at the top of her game and still refreshingly unafraid to tell unpalatable home truths and speak out in defence of her uncompromising take on today’s world.

Drawn from an oral history project Danny Pedler conducted in the South Holland region of Lincolnshire, it’s hard to think of anything quite packing Field and Dyke’s emotional punch this year. An excellent and highly recommended album from Danny and Greg Russell.

Kate Rusby’s 17th studio album “Philosophers, Poets & Kings” is utterly delightful; she journeys into new territory while maintaining that unshakeable bond to her musical heritage. One of her finest albums to date.

This could be one of the most versatile and open collections The Waterboys have ever given us. They are literally capable of going in absolutely any direction from here.

Antonio Forcione (Italy), Seckou Keita (Senegal) and Adriano Adewale (Brazil) bring together the musical traditions of three continents with contemporary themes and rhythms in an utterly beguiling album.