Albums

Fairport Convention celebrate their 50th Anniversary with 50:50@50. The mix of studio and live recordings along with the special guests, including Robert Plant and Jacqui McShee ensures there’s something for everyone.

By filtering the essence of (especially) early-to-mid-70s Grateful Dead (improvisational soloing intact) through earthy country twang and folk-rock stylings, Real Ponchos have absolutely knocked it out of the park with their sophomore album, To the Dusty World.

Apparently, it was ‘The Brother Brothers’ contemporaries that had been urging them to make music together for some time. Thankfully they finally decided to listen. Now it’s your turn.

Featuring some of the best recording artists on the English folk music circuit, From Here: English Folk Field Recordings is a celebration of the democratic nature of folk music, but more than that, it is proof that this kind of recording still matters on the most visceral of levels.

Julie Byrne’s latest album Not Even Happiness contains vast themes of travel and belonging which collide in moments of limpid beauty. Delivered with wisdom, wonder and quiet certainty.

The music of Bristol-based The Nightjar demands to be listened to in an isolation chamber to allow it to seep into the pores, but, like the nocturnal bird after which the band are named, its near silent flight is unerring.

For their latest album, Tricks of the Trade, Dipper Malkin weave a veritable tapestry of sound that honours a long tradition, whilst adding the golden thread of the unexpected.

Norwegian singer-songwriter Torgeir Waldemar returns with new album ‘No Offending Borders,’ an album of surprising contemplative depth and musical variety. One worth seeking out.

On ‘The Other Side,’ Adaya successfully reimagines folk music through the bright window of intelligent songcraft and genuinely experimental arrangements. It is an intensely varied and often mesmerising release from a unique voice.

A Bit of Blue is a deeply rewarding album, it coincides with the publication of Emily Maguire’s second book, Notes from the North Pole, a collection of her poetry and songs.

Freedom Highway demonstrates a coherent maturity that marries Rhiannon Gidden’s beautiful and powerful vocal interpretation with an equally compelling set of varied and, all too relevant, songs.

Afterlight is an assured and confident first album for Ímar. Their verve and energy combined with the sense of the lively interplay between band-members leaves you with the impression that this group is going to be a lot of fun to follow.