Albums

Joshua Fletcher has been reassessing his songwriting, looking inward rather than casting stones at others, coming to fruition in this sophomore offering, produced by Alex Dezen of the Damnwells.

With a gig at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival Antun Opic releases the excellent Shovel My Coal EP. Both suggest a real step up and the music doesn’t disappoint.

On Samantha Crain’s latest album Under Branch & Thorn & Tree she dwells on the struggles of ordinary people, revealing a poetic beauty in the seemingly prosaic trials of everyday life.

With roots in Aberdeen and the unusual combination of piano and fiddle, Clype have released a stunning debut album of politically engaged songs, with a unique sound drawing from folk and jazz.

Featuring fellow Scots Steve Crawford and Pete Coutts, alongside German multi-instrumenatlist Sascha ‘Salossi’ Loss and Crawford’s long-term songwriting partner Davy Cattanach, Ballad of Crows has strong echoes of late 70s/early 80s Laurel Canyon and its attendant soft folk rock vibe. Certainly one to check.

In part 3 of our live review of Gate to Southwell Festival we have live footage from Clannad, Simpson-Cutting-Kerr, We Banjo 3, The Young’uns, The Tweed Project, Manran and more.

The third album by The Rachel Hair Trio finds their sound stripped back to the core players. Trì proves a strong statement of exquisite and passionate music from three highly talented players. The power of three.

Anne McCue’s Blue Sky Thinkin’ could easily come from a different era. Although created under heavy influence of her own inspirations such as Billie Holliday and Memphis Minnie, it is incomparable and completely its own.

If you can get on board with the diversity on offer (and why on earth wouldn’t you?), Sing Into My Mouth is a gloriously relaxed set of Summer songs from two musicians whose passion for their art shines through every groove. Get it on.

On Declaration, Australian folk duo Kate Burke and Ruth Hazleton demonstrate how less can be more, this is a both a very welcome return and an enticing introduction to the duo’s embarking upon new paths down a familiar route.

Skorsa: The Riddle of the Earth is a great showcase for Susan Grace Bates’ undoubted talents as a musician and an arranger with a keen ear for bringing together different strands of traditional music in this impressive debut.

Christopher Paul Stelling’s latest offering showcases both his lyrical and guitar skills whilst updating the American roots traditions and capturing the present zeitgeist. As he urges us to, “breathe it out, lay your burdens down to rest”, it’s hard not to pay attention.