Albums

There’s a confidence surging through Della Mae expressed in the eponymous title of their new album. Produced by Jacquire King in Nashville, it’s everything the band do well and so much more. Don’t miss their UK Tour Dates.

Richard Thompson is on something of a roll, with Jeff Tweedy as producer and with his trusted rhythm section in tow, ‘Still’ is proof that he’s making some of the best music of his life. Richard is Folk Radio UK’s Artist of the Month for July.

Trembling Bells’ vivid cacophony rules benignly, combining volume, substance and intoxicating, druggy lyrical beauty in a darkly satisfying, curiously celebratory and often epic aural challenge. Don’t expect an easy ride, and don’t for a moment think of compromise – instead give this literally-stunning music your full attention, and stick it on repeat.

On ‘A Tale of Sound and Fury’ The Drystones demonstrate a sophisticated musical maturity that is far beyond their ages, full of the electrifying energy of their debut and showing a growing confidence in their playing and singing.  A thrilling, must-hear collection.

Plans to re-release La Candella Viva the album that made Totó La Momposina a global star took on a life of their own when the master tapes opened up a treasure chest of unheard material. The result is Tambolero – effectively a whole new album.

The End of the Golden Age is the third album from Scotland’s The Wynntown Marshals. Whilst better known north of the border this latest release looks set to rectify that.

The Sparrow and The Thief is a solid and enjoyable record, which benefits from a high standard of production values without the band losing sight of the reasons why they make music in the first place. It’s an album which is instantly accessible but with enough maturity and depth to bring out new aspects on repeated listening.

Shirley Inspired is nothing less than a vitally important set, very likely the most important one you’ll consider buying this year. And the best possible tribute to a remarkable, and highly inspirational and influential, lady.

Darrell Scott takes a step back from song-writing with a haunting compilation of songs written by the late Ben Bullington. Ten embraces the simplicity of a man, his guitar and the songs and stories of a friend.

Simi Stone is the homecoming queen and the daydream believer as feeling the magnetic pull of Woodstock she’s teamed up with a fantastic band and made a great record. Here she tells us all about her Moutain Motown sound.

My Darling Clementine team up with Solihull-born crime and mystery novelist Mark Billingham for ‘The Other Half’ – a new original story by Billingham, inspired by and woven around songs from the duo. It’s set in a rundown Memphis bar, not far from Sun Studios, where Marcia, a former Las Vegas showgirl, alone and estranged from her daughter, works double shifts to keep her head above water.

Siobhan Wilson’s Say It’s True was recorded in Glasgow with the help of some very talented friends and offers a collection of hopes and sorrows, dressed in some of the finest tunes you could wish for. You could say it’s truly beautiful.