Albums

A decidedly ambitious project, P.J.M. Bond’s ‘In Our Time’ is based on the writings of Ernest Hemingway which has been glowingly acclaimed by a highly respected Hemingway scholar; it fully deserves to reap the same rewards from music critics and audiences too.

Take a bow Bill Mackay and Cooper Crain – BCMC’s Foreign Smokes is like one continual experimental, inquisitive journey, filled with an appealing freshness and dynamism – a strange and thrilling tonic.

Featuring richly textured arrangements and a stunning array of instruments, In Phase gives another massive boost to Benji KIrkpatrick’s reputation as both a songwriter and an astoundingly varied multi-instrumentalist.

Songs to the Dust is a magnificent conclusion to Ian David Green’s outstanding and critically acclaimed trilogy, all of which deserve a pride of place in your collection.

Robin Elliott’s ‘There is a Land is a wonderfully ambitious debut – gloriously eclectic yet firmly grounded, it is a kaleidoscopic offering of folk and pop, indie rock and psychedelia, jazz and poetic storytelling.

Shone a Rainbow Light On is an unusual beast; there is no pretence or anyone trying to overdo things. For all its space and organic spirit, there is a complexity present that the band allows the listener to discover at their leisure. I recommend doing so.

On ‘We Will Never Be The Same’, the latest offering from the Canadian trio the Good Lovelies, they present a rather wonderful album about accepting the march of time but not giving in to it.

Ida Wenøe’s ‘Undersea’ is like musical Reiki for the soul, offering a view of life that, like the ocean, can be often filled with mystery and darkness, but “when the light hits its surface, it can be the most golden thing existing”. Immerse yourself.

‘World Brand New’, the new album from Mouths of Babes, is a ridiculously infectious collection of Americana and an outstanding album that flies the flag for compassion, understanding and change, which we’d all do well to salute.

Catrin Finch & Aoife Ní Bhriain’s ‘Double You’ goes beyond virtuosic; it’s also layered with emotion, appreciation for style and tradition and the freedom of just playing. You are left feeling that this partnership was inevitable and absolutely necessary…an essential release.

Unless you live in North America, particularly Rhode Island, the chances of experiencing Ed Sweeney and Clasper-Torch performing are remote. However, A Sunday Drive, a fine album in all its musical and emotional simplicity, is ample compensation.

Unanswered is an album born of serendipitous circumstances, and together, Ward Knutur Townes (ft. Derbyshire’s Lucy Ward, Iceland’s Svavar Knútur and Canadian Adyn Townes) cast an intoxicating spell, one which we hope they will repeat again.