Albums

With ‘It’s Been A While, Buddy’, Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet continue their unique journey, sharing dollops of theatrical fun amongst more honest, personal, heartfelt lyrics, whilst always inhabiting a sprawling terrain of musical forms.

‘You Will Not Die’ finds Darren Hayman at his most withdrawn and introspective, uncovering new truths hidden in well-worn themes…when a songwriter of Hayman’s skill turns the spotlight back on himself – and in doing so creates a new world in miniature scale – it’s worth taking note.

Sun Ra Arkestra’s ‘Living Sky’ is so sublime, this is music to bathe in and soak it up as the intricacies and delicacies of the many layers of detail slowly unfold and shower the listener in pure interplanetary wonder.

You, Golden, the first duo record from Owen Spafford and Louis Campbell, was always one to look forward to. Uplifting, probing and exciting, as well as wise and patient, it is an album to return to and savour. Excellent stuff.

As beautiful and powerful as an electrical storm, Daniel Bachman’s Almanac Behind hones his new sound into a lean and precise tapestry. It is an extraordinary achievement by a unique artist. My album of the year.

On ‘While I Sit and Watch This Tree Volume 2’, Lizabett Russo takes the listener on a very personal journey. It’s a stunning and passionate album, one that you will be drawn back to repeatedly.

Laura Jean’s ‘Amateurs’ is the work of a sincere professional, one who refuses to be bound by boxes or boundaries. She moves in directions where the weight of her work and the totality of her talent are vast and limitless.

Emboldened by the band’s incredible array of talent, The Magpie Arc’s Glamour In The Grey is an incredibly varied album which shows that there is nothing predictable or pedestrian about folk-rock. It’s a welcome shot in the arm and a wild ride.

With Escape That, Sam Sweeney has made his most personal record to date. His playing has never been more confident or fluid and the accompaniments are also stellar in their subtlety. It is gorgeous, joyous playing, possibly his best yet.

Produced by Jeff Tweedy, Alpenglow is Trampled by Turtles’ tenth album and is, without doubt, the band’s most contemplative album to date; one in which to immerse yourself.

Goat have risen and served notice of their return with ‘Oh Death’, the most earth-shakingly punchy album of their career so far. The effect these ten tracks leave on the listener is head-spinningly wonderful; lose yourself in the giddy delight of the experience.

A creative director, designer and photographer, at 40, Joseph Shipp is only now stepping out into a new career as a singer-songwriter with his debut album, ‘Free, For A While’; it’s unquestionably one of the year’s best.