Albums

Janice Burns and Jon Doran’s debut album ‘No More the Green Hills’ exceeds all expectations – few will have the voices, musicianship or imagination to pull it off at this level.

VRÏ’s ‘islais a genir’ is an album that honours variety and positively revels in its own complex, colourful identity, by turns thoughtful and celebratory. A formidable artistic and cultural statement.

With ‘His Last Letter’, Geoff Muldaur has curated a behemoth of a project with packaging that befits the ambition; this is undoubtedly the most annotated and sympathetically presented new music release of 2022 – it’s a deep joy on every level.

Rachael Dadd’s ‘Kaleidoscope’ really does live up to its title; there is so much nuance in those deep grooves, it’s a potential career-best for an artist with an admirably understated excellence.

With Streams of Forms, Marlais stitches together traditional folk and ambient electronica in ways that are ground-breaking. Bold and hypnotizing, it will be worth keeping an ear out for a taste of whatever this outside-the-box sonic chef cooks up next.

For her latest EP ‘Now & Then’, Josienne Clarke presents a surprising yet stunning collection of covers that include folk classics as well as songs by Sandy Denny, Radiohead, Sharon Van Etten and Nick Drake; it’s a masterpiece of the moment.

Wyld Love Songs is more of a companion piece than a follow-up to David John Morris’s solo debut. It displays a sense of fun and freedom and the songs, show the generosity of the human spirit in all its humour, wisdom and sadness.

Veined with sadness and joy, anguish and hope, ‘Beyond the Reservoir’ confirms Julian Taylor as one of the finest voices in contemporary Canadian folk music.

Eliza Edens’ sophomore album ‘We’ll Become the Flowers’ is evidence of why she’s a voice that needs to be heard. Required listening for anyone who’s ever been in love.

Transforming moments from her life into songs that we can all relate to, Alela Diane’s Looking Glass reveals a songwriter whose depth is undeniable and whose performances create unforgettable memories.

While ‘…And Take The Black Worm With Me’, the new solo album from One Leg One Eye (Ian Lynch of Lankum), is not for the faint of heart it is certainly worth taking the plunge: its immense depths are as emotional as they are musical and conceal a haunting beauty.

With Sorrows Away, The Unthanks have graced us with their most extraordinary record to date. It is a tonic to lift the spirits and marks a momentous moment in the career of one of the greatest folk bands in the UK today.