Albums

From the artwork to the music, this album is pure joy. Most importantly, for all their infectious joy, this is a band that does not shy away from making poignant statements about the world we live in.

Patty Griffin’s latest offering is an album of quiet grace, determination, survival and self-identity that serves as a reminder of her status among the Americana greats.

Featuring Norwegians Frode Halti and Vegar Vårdal alongside Irish flute player Nuala Kennedy the Snowflake Trio’s debut album Sun Dogs contains a wealth of diverse, nourishing music and is an all-round thing of beauty.

The Social Power of Music is an exhaustive and eclectic 83-song anthology centred on the redemptive and revolutionary power of music. An astonishingly inspirational compilation that celebrates and aims, in its own way, ‘to surround hate and force it to surrender.’

The music on Katie Spencer’s full-length debut album is sensitive, poetic and perfectly judged, and executed with a confidence and skill, and experience, that would seem to belie her 21 years.

On The Reverie Road, Liverpudlian fiddler and multi-instrumentalist Mikey Kenney’s singing and playing displays plenty of distinctive touches that charm and delight throughout. The album also sports his own artwork and photography.

Empathy Moves The Water is a delightful album which migrates from energetic revival songs inspired by early rural gospel blues to haunting fiddle-drenched ballads expressing the isolation and humanity lost in a rapidly changing land.

Whereas Lucy Kitt’s 2012 E.P. could possibly be seen as a cabochon, Stand By is a full-faceted gem of an album. It is difficult to believe that it is not the product of a Laurel Canyon habituée, such is its veracity, especially given the fact that it is a debut.

Stepping outside of a well-established comfort zone and challenging fan expectations is a bold but risky move for any artist, on their latest offering Rusty Shackle pull it off with horizons-widening success.

The massively uplifting impact of the Quilters’ four earthy, uncannily complementary voices is miraculous, and it’s something of a revelation to hear such earnest, dedicated performances. Big voices, big time inspiration.

On Sharing the Covers, Chatham County Line have some self-indulgent fun covering songs by some of their influences from Wilco to bluegrass legend Carter Stanley, even John Lennon gets a  bluegrass makeover.

Diversions is the clearest statement of Leveret’s ability yet, an album packed with beautiful, gentle, energetic and fluid works, and it fully establishes this band as one of the very finest in English instrumental music.