Albums

With the dust has barely settled on their last album, 3hattrio return with Solitaire, their third album, the arid imagery inspired by their red-rock southern Utah base. Inventive and experimental, but still firmly within the territory they have marked out for themselves.

Native Texan, Jess Williamson returns with her debut follow-up, Heart Song, an altogether tougher and more confident product that nevertheless exhibits an intense inner vulnerability.

Over the course of three studio albums, Merry Hell has grown into a mighty eight-piece outfit that can take on any and all-comers at their own game and emerge victorious on all counts. Bloodlines is no exception which makes them prime contenders for the accolade of the nation’s premier folk-rock band at the moment. Read our review and watch their new title-track video.

Faustus have long shown they can use three voices with very different characters, in just about any combination, to present their pick of English traditional songs. With this album, their musicianship has been given more room to shine, producing music that is true to its roots, relevant to today and, above all, ridiculously enjoyable.

Fronted by alternative south Wales music scene veteran, Chris Ridgeway, the oddly monikered Welsh outfit Cakehole Presley release their second album. Completed last year, it was put on hold following the passing of co-leader Mark Humphries, it serves as a fine tribute to him.

Beoga’s new album will undoubtedly be popular with their existing fan base, but their maturing approach to composition and arrangement will also appeal to a wider audience, one that may be new to what Beoga offer, but are sure to be instantly enchanted by this absolute charmer of an album.

With Wild Hog, The Furrow Collective have surpassed their excellent debut with a set of songs that is mature, intelligent and experimental. The quartet at the heart of this record, for all their differing styles, have hit upon something that has a rare sparkle to it. A deceptively simple, spell-bindingly beautiful record.

Those people, whom she honours and sings for, represent the “past generations who have sung those songs to us and carried them through”. And in doing so, Shirley has produced an album of true stature, and one that’s destined to remain in your affections.

Will Varley says he’s been wanting to make a record like Kingsdown Sundown for a long time. He couldn’t have picked a better moment. Don’t miss his tour of the UK & Ireland this month.

The fourth release from Canterbury-based singer-songwriter Luke Jackson reveals an artist that continues to grow in maturity as he fine tunes his craft. With Tall Tales and Rumours he delivers another winner.

Jon Boden compiles The Ultimate Guide To English Folk, a lavish two-disc primer designed to appeal to experienced folkies and newbies alike. It is not the first such collection, but it is probably the most wide-ranging, lovingly compiled and inventively sequenced. One of the most important messages to take from this compilation is that while folk music in England is something of an extended family, it is by no means …

Despite performing solo without the many guest musicians featured on Upcetera, Jim Moray proves that just with his guitar, piano, and unaccompanied, he can still deliver an emotional punch – a raw and profoundly moving performance.