Albums

On An Dà Là, Mànran excel at distilling the energy and excitement of their live shows into studio sets that not only mirror the experience but also make room for intricate musical virtuosity that provides the very finest detail. That detail, in turn, provides the album’s lyrical and vocal content with a platform that supports enthralling performances…one to be proud of.

On the title track of her new album Courtney Marie Andrews sings “some people take a little more time to grow”; after standing in the shadows of success playing with the likes of Damien Jurado, the time has come for her to be bathed in her own spotlight.

Stanley Brinks’ latest offering sees him teaming up with a stripped down two-piece version of the Norwegian folk collective The Kaniks – a double album that is immaculately played, unpolished and, for the most, jubilant in spirit and mood, it’s a gem of its kind.

Featuring a host of special guests, including Lizabett Russo, Dermot Byrne, Capercaillie’s Charlie McKerron and more, How Do You Know? illustrates just how wide-ranging Tim Edey’s talents really are.

While it’s tempting to situate albums like A Fair Field under the broad ‘hauntology’ banner, this is no dry exercise in pastoral retro-futurism. Rather it is a varied, heartfelt set of tunes that also happens to be a valid and enlightening social document.

This is an outstanding album, one to play both to aficionados of Irish traditional music and lovers of the piano, as well as those listeners who are receptive to fresh perspectives on the traditional repertoire. A total delight, in other words.

Paths To The Foss is a superb piece of work, warm, uncluttered and alive, one that rests in the cradle of Ian Humberstone’s singular voice. The perfect record to accompany you through a dark Scandinavian winter.

The music within the live recorded ‘The Bonnie Bells of Oxford’ is great, as is the sense of atmosphere, the live chemistry and total involvement of all concerned. It’s a compelling and exciting audio document with a desirable “wish I’d been there” vibe.

The Salted Air is the latest album from British-Lebanese musician and songwriter Nadine Khouri. The album presents her personal reflections on loss and transformation and also confirms her as a name to watch for in 2017.

Big Machine is an album of unrestrained ambition and masterful execution from a performer at the very top of her game. It has all the hallmarks of a vastly important release, and should cement Eliza Carthy’s place as one of our most valuable musicians.

Red Tail Ring’s latest offering is a welcome addition to the continuing revival of American traditional music that has both a faithful adherence to the past and a sensibility of contemporary issues…pushing the tradition to new heights.

As the year comes to a close and the inevitable ‘best of’ lists appear, it’s gratifying to find another album that demands attention. But The Drowned Lover and Other Dark Tales doesn’t permit you to wallow in the past; Paul is a performer who continues to push himself and all those willing to listen.