Albums

Treading the Marches is an exceedingly recommendable disc for lovers of songs of Cumbria and Northumberland who like their material rendered with flair and imagination.

A swift follow-up to Copenhagen released earlier back in March, Acoustic Classics captures Swedish singer-songwriter Benjamin Folke Thomas live with just an acoustic guitar – and lengthy repartee.

To the people who think politics has no place in music, Inclined To Be Red is a timely reminder that the opposite is true. It proves that music still can – and indeed must – engage with the world in a positive way. A gentle affirmation of the power of song.

Most songs on Felony Blues deal with reckless life choices, something that Los Angeles-based Jamie Wyatt knows a thing or two about. This is a fine debut, a must have for any contemporary country fan.

The Kronos Quartet plays alongside four labelmates – Sam Amidon, Olivia Chaney, Rhiannon Giddens, and Natalie Merchant – to transport traditional folk songs to new arrangements.

I Asked My Friends To Cover My Songs And This Is What They Came Up With is an eclectic and adventurous release that has plenty of tongue-in-cheek silliness, tons of quirky off the wall creativity and some genuinely touching moments.

Moonshine Freeze, the latest album from This is the Kit, finds John Parish on production duties. The more you listen, the more you hear on this image rich alt-folk offering. Watch her new live session for Hotter Colder.

For a debut EP, you couldn’t hope for a stronger start. Christy Scott’s Amaranthine is a gem of an EP that showcases a fine young talent backed by a superb cast of musicians with Scott Wood at the production helm. One to watch for.

They make my spice shelf look boring. Bristol-based band Solana deliver an accomplished and colourful album with Camino, one that will definitely keep you up on your toes. When you finish, press play again.

Josienne Clarke partners with jazz pianist Kit Downes for ‘Such a Sky’. Whether this is a one-off or a prelude to further collaborations remains to be seen, but, for now, just enjoy the propagated fruit from two different but entwined musical orchards.

It is rare to hear a songwriter so astutely match up words with music so that one complements the other to perfection. Alex Seel achieves this on Circles, a small, bright gem of a record. We can only hope that a full-length album is on its way in the near future.

Olivia Chaney and The Decemberists join forces as Offa Rex. The resulting album, The Queen of Hearts, turns a nostalgic nod to the great British folk-rock albums of the late 60s and 70s but is equally assured in a fresh and contemporary way. It is a towering, majestic work.