Albums

Tape Runs Out do more with less than just about anyone out there. With Floodhead, they have created something bordering on magical that should take the world by storm, it certainly has taken my corner of it.

The genius of Common Nation of Sorrow is how Rachel Baiman can harness her songs in a way that generates something gently compelling, creating her calls to action, yet doing so in a way that never loses the appeal to the heart and common sense.

Milton Hide’s album was designed to capture the serenity of walking the ancient path through the intertwined trees; The Holloway definitely has its fingers dipped in the sparkle jar.

Today, Sharron Kraus has released ‘Birdloom’, a project she began working on with electronic musician David Muddyman (aka Muud, Jamuud) 20 years ago and which features Spiers & Boden.

One thing that keeps Dom Flemons engaged and inspired is his indelible belief in the magic and wonder of music. It is that spirit which rises to the fore so definitively on ‘Traveling Wildfire’, a deep and indispensable album.

The Berlin Session by Dur-Dur Band Int. is the first studio recording by a full ensemble from Somalia since the golden days of Mogadishu came to a halt three decades ago. It’s an exceptional collection brimming with energy, hope, and life.

Produced by Jack Schneider, who also plays lead guitar, When The Trouble’s All Done is a highly promising debut album that very much marks Ellie Turner out as one to watch.

As Ireke, Julien Gervaix and Damien Tesson visit new sonic territories on Tropikadelic; you will probably not hear a better debut album this year – a joyous fusion of highlife, funk, Afro-Caribbean rhythms and electro.

On ‘Caoir’, Joy Dunlop’s third album, the power and expressiveness of her voice shines through, while, aided by a top-notch five-piece band, they push the boundaries of ‘trad’ while expertly retaining its soul.

False Lankum is Lankum’s most uncompromising album to date which highlights their highly individual approach to music-making: a discourse between band and listener that is challenging, raw, brutally honest and always rewarding.

Music is rarely as rewarding as ‘Peggy’s Dream’, the new album from Martin Hayes & the Common Ground Ensemble. There really aren’t the superlatives available to do it justice.

Rura’s ‘Dusk Moon’ is an expertly crafted suite of new material that showcases both the compositional and performance prowess of all four band members; from moody musical landscapes to blowing up a storm that would get any audience on its feet and dancing, this album has it all.