Albums

While Rupert Wates doesn’t greatly depart from a basic framework on “Elegies’, the way he dances the notes within that are testament to his consummate skills…a hypnotic listening experience.

Aptly described as ‘Ancient Northumbrian Futurism’, Kathryn Tickell and The Darkening’s ‘Cloud Horizons’ is an electrifying and incredibly captivating album. In capturing a sound that effortlessly conjures the past whilst simultaneously referencing the present and future, they have created a rather unique and striking soundscape.

By creating a new palette of sounds, Dot Allison merges musical worlds, finding ways to not just colour outside the lines but obliterate them altogether. “Consciousology” reinvents musical frameworks, merging sounds and worlds in ways that expand our musical vocabulary.

The songs and tunes on ‘When You’re Ready’ were recorded by Patakas (brothers Will and Joe Sartin) following the loss of their father. As well as capturing ‘strong bonds and incredible memories’, this debut also highlights what a skilful and innovative duo they are.

Joshua Burnell’s music has always thrived on the blurring of boundaries. However, with Glass Knight, his most daring and deeply rewarding album to date, he’s written music that simply refuses to recognise their existence.

Ten years and five albums into their career, with ‘The Colour of Night, folk duo Ninebarrow have crafted their finest album to date. With immaculate arrangements of beautiful songs to delight the ears and stir the soul, this is one to treasure.

Although there have only been six P.G. Six albums over a twenty-two-year period, they provide a definitive snapshot of the psych-folk genre. His latest, Murmurs & Whispers, is a nuanced, enthralling work that suggests this brilliant songwriter is hitting another career peak.

Martin Simpson & Thomm Jutz’s ‘Nothing But Green Willow: The Songs of Mary Sands And Jane Gentry’ is a genuinely stunning, life-affirming, and beautifully produced listening experience. It’s an instant classic.

Gabriel Moreno’s ‘Wound in The Night’ is an absorbing and engaging listen. At times on this album, he is the ideal person to fill the void left by Leonard Cohen.

Libby Rodenbough’s ‘Between the Blades’ is a deeply personal and creative exploration of emotions and ideas that are slowly arising in the public conscience. It is an offering of questions, not answers, questions…in the form of beautiful, catchy melodies, bringing hope in place of despair.

Following his 2006 Carolling & Crumpets, the English folk squeezebox maestro John Kirkpatrick delivers a midwinter treat with a new Christmas collection titled ‘Joy & Jubilation’. He is accompanied by members of the South Shropshire ‘Castle Carols’, and his son Benji also features.

Hiss Golden Messenger have stumbled upon a weird kind of alchemy; through their sense of magic, they are able to bind belief with reality in a way that lets you know there is only one choice: Jump for Joy.