Albums

Mary Ann Kennedy’s An Dàn is one of those heart-lifting albums where it soon becomes impossible to choose a favourite moment or passage. There’s a wealth of beautiful music and song to explore. It’s a gem of an album.

Reg Meuross’s Faraway People goes the distance in turning the spotlight on issues that should not be left in the shadows. There’s anger and indignation, but, all too rare in a protest album, there’s also a deep well of compassion and insight into the human heart and spirit.

Trawling through these lost songs I never thought would see the light of day was definitely a favourite aspect of this release. But no one would describe it as one of the best Fairport Convention albums…

On Turned Over to Dreams, Daniel Martin Moore offers a collection of lullabies – meditative, calming and cleansing, the perfect way to slip into the arms of Morpheus.

There’s something personal about Sam Amidon’s The Following Mountain, it’s as though it’s being put together in real-time; this makes it a refreshingly disjointed record that almost describes the creative process that defines it.

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.