Albums

Now based in New York, Ron Pope has released a dozen albums in the past ten years, ‘Work’, his thirteenth, was a conscious decision to recreate the music of any bar band worth their beer money, drawing on the experiences and people in his life from the age of thirteen.

Those who reach out and discover Steve Adey’s latest offering – Do Me A Kindness – will find themselves richly rewarded by its sonic inventiveness and exploration and Adey’s cathedral vault vocals.

Merry Hell’s ‘Come On, England!’ EP offers a rallying cry against the rising tide of nationalism and fascism and a call for tolerance and equality. Plus, watch their video for the title track.

New England singer-songwriter Allysen Callery is back with an outstanding new release. Prince’s Pine is a five-track EP, a bright sounding recording with flashes of welcome darkness.

On Stu Larsen’s Resolute, the ten songs float finely from the speakers, his voice an intimate postcard from abroad while the arrangements are nimble and sure footed, an attractive blend of confessional singer/songwriter and pop balladeer.

Bright Phoebus is a strange but wonderful beast of a record: a collection of entirely self-penned material from Lal & Mike Waterson who were previously known exclusively for performing traditional folk songs acapella via The Watersons. A splendid package that will restore the album to its rightful place in the permanent catalogue.

The Spirit Moves is the fifth album from the Nashville-based Sean Scolnick aka Langhorne Slim, originally released in 2015 the album is getting a UK reissue to coincide with his August tour.

It’s tempting to say that we can expect great things from Ryan Young in the future. His quiet success to date and open, exploratory style is evidence of an impressive, budding talent. That future has already begun to open up, though. Ryan Young’s debut is a remarkable and fascinating album that no fan of traditional fiddle should miss.

The Gigspanner Big Band are a unique musical proposition; they are taking folk music down new and enthralling paths. They are also one of the most exciting live bands you are likely to see this year (or any year, for that matter), and this recording documents their energy, skill and hard work brilliantly.

After four albums under the band name The Honeycutters, Amanda Anne Platt steps into the spotlight on their latest release. An often laid back mix of country, Americana and roots. On tour in the UK now.

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Rachel Baiman’s ‘Shame’ is a defiant album full of riches, a departure from her previously stripped down offerings, there’s plenty of groove-based offerings here despite the weight of the subject matter.

Alan & the Big Hand’s unusually titled album ‘Yellow Car No Return’ offers a diverse listening experience as his rural lyrical offerings get re-cast by his Hull-based collective.