Albums

From the quiet, understated splendour of Carry Your Kin, to the sonic majesty of For You; The Breath have achieved a harmonious alliance between contrasting elements that rolls across the senses like clouds caress low hills – always moving, changing, evolving; and utterly fascinating.

Seamus Cater’s latest record, ‘The Three Things You Can Hear’, introduces a unique and singular sound, a truly original record with a cosmopolitan and at times improvisational feel.

The stories contained here might well refer to a well-known period of history, but the angles at which they come at that familiar narrative, the microcosms they create, are truly individual and at times unprecedented. War Stories is a courageous, often demanding and ultimately satisfying project.

Light Up has the multi-faceted appeal of songs that have grown from the Irish folk tradition and reference the life and history of Belfast itself, in an approach that’s refreshing while still retaining an appealing familiarity.

Backed by a stellar cast of musicians with Lucy Kaplansky on backing vocals and produced by double Grammy winner Ben Wisch, American Landscape turned out to be the album Dave Murphy always wanted to make, we recommend you share in his triumph.

Robert Rex Waller, Jr., lead singer of I See Hawks in L.A. releases a solo album of covers. From songs by The Doors & Utah Phillips to Nina Simone & Neil Young it’s filled with some ingenious offerings.

Ana Egge, joined by Denmark’s The Sentimentals, releases her strongest offering to date with ‘Say That Now’, an album that tackles some heavy topics along the way with some powerful electric folk-rock.

Best known as a member of The Magic Numbers, Michele Stodart’s second solo album ‘Pieces’ is a far more rootsier offering and is, both individually and in sum, a thing of perfection.

The Silver Lake Chorus is one of the most unexpectedly contemporary-sounding records you are likely to hear this year, featuring some truly top drawer songs, made to measure, by some of the finest songwriters around.

In part 1 of his review of this year’s Gate to Southwell Johnny shares his highlights which kick off with a North American flavour: Bob Dylan’s 75th birthday concert, Hayseed Dixie, The Ooks of Hazzard, The Corn Potato String Band, Flats and Sharps as well as Canadian singer Meaghan Blanchard and Acadian trio Vishtèn.

Well attuned to the zeitgeist of that classic early-70s psych-folk era I’m finding myself wishing I’d caught onto Hodmadoddery sooner – I’ve two decades of catching up to do. Get your hands on a copy, you won’t be sorry.

You just know, that when you listen to Robert Doyle play and sing, you’re hearing exactly what you would in a live setting. There’s no need for adornments – the guitar, vocal, melodies, words all speak for themselves. Robert has an approach to music that’s all his own, and this is what shines through on ‘Lig Amach’.