Albums

AHI’s debut follow-up is suffused with a similar optimistic and positive vibe with home as the anchor of hope. The swelling musical arrangements in which his songs are couched, only serve to bolster the emotions they stir.

The London-based folk rock outfit returns with a pointedly eponymously titled third album that, as such, serves to underscore their musical self-confidence as well as standing as a statement of identity while staying true to their 60s West Coast and psychedelia influences.

The album title (and the song’s lyrics) serves as an image of the distant horizon and the need to move on. The last few years have been a  hard road for Winslow-King to walk, but, as this album amply proves, his feet haven’t failed him yet.

Karl Culley’s ‘Last!’ is a double album and an acoustic affair, his complex but melodic guitar playing keeps the music rich and a suitable complement to his rather humble but enriching vocals and honest songwriting.

Chasing Ghosts is Philip Marino’s best yet, a 10-track collection of predominantly acoustic-based Americana that harks to such influences as John Mellencamp, Dylan, Cat Stevens and Neil Young. Seek him out. 

Featuring Christian Sedelmyer and Rachel Baiman, 10 String Symphony’s latest album finds them pushing the musical boundaries of their instrumentation with Kris Drever on production.

With Rooftop Sessions Dreamers’ Circus celebrate more than the colour and vibrancy of Scandinavian music, they celebrate the ability it has to drive inspiration and innovation, and place themselves firmly in the vanguard of that movement.

The opportunity presented here to experience the stripped back songs in all of their raw glory is an aural delight. This collection proves that less can indeed sometimes be more, and with Distant Days, Steve Tilston, one of our most revered songsmiths, has confirmed his reputation as a jewel in the folk and acoustic-world crown.

Securing a  wider platform following its American release last year, Will Stewart’s solo debut offers up a solid set of classic styled guitar-driven country rock. A county seat is an administrative centre from which legislation for the region is handed down. Checking out this album should be a matter of policy.

When All Is Still may be an album with its roots in tradition, but it has a freshness that makes these old songs seem wonderfully new. It is one of the best collections of traditional songs you’ll hear all year. Read our review and watch the video premiere of Ploughman Lads.

While initially combining their existing influences was the start for We Banjo 3, Haven tells us the journey is far from over as celtgrass spreads its boundaries, showing it can assimilate what it finds while remaining true to its roots.

The Joy of Living is the seventh studio album from Jackie Oates, also our Artist of the Month for August. It is her most personal yet, covering an intensely personal period of her life in which she celebrated the birth of her daughter Rosie and bid an emotional and loving farewell to her beloved father.