Featured Albums of the Month

Rachel Taylor-Beales fourth studio album ‘Stone’s Throw, Lament of The Selkie’ takes the form of a kind of song-cycle. Some three years in the making it is masterfully conceived and presented with imagery that is both precise and tantalising in its expression. An exceptional album.

Man is Made is the second album from Michael Edgar and seems a natural and welcome progression from his debut release ‘Shine’. Michael has his own voice, and it’s a very appealing one. He has his own stories to tell; and on Man Is Made, they’re well worth listening to.

Alex Seel’s Other Paths EP is a hugely impressive musical calling card, with each of its five songs showcasing a different side of this multi-talented musician’s skills. His ear for harmonies and his subtlety as a lyricist are revelatory and it’s to be hoped that a full-length album follows before too long.

Solid song writing and one of this year’s finest vocal performances have combined with Steven Polwart’s engaging arrangements and Mattie Foulds’ atmospheric production to create an album that showcases Mairi Orr’s vibrant love of acoustic music, story-telling gift and ability as a performer.

Sisters Vikki Thorn and Donna Simpson met Josh Cunningham when touring Australia’s West coast. Forming an instant bond they became The Waifs. That bond is stronger than ever on ‘Beautiful You’, their best album yet.

Steve Tilston’s profile has been on the up and up with a great couple of recent albums, a Folk Award and now a film inspired by an unusual event in his life, but the real story is that his latest album, Truth To Tell, is yet another wonderful record from one of English folk music’s most accomplished songwriters.

At a time when individuality in society comes at a price…Little Arrow rail against mediocrity with an irresistibly fierce passion. The result is ‘Old Ink’, one of the most intoxicatingly original records you’re likely hear this year.

With a gig at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival Antun Opic releases the excellent Shovel My Coal EP. Both suggest a real step up and the music doesn’t disappoint.

With roots in Aberdeen and the unusual combination of piano and fiddle, Clype have released a stunning debut album of politically engaged songs, with a unique sound drawing from folk and jazz.

The third album by The Rachel Hair Trio finds their sound stripped back to the core players. Trì proves a strong statement of exquisite and passionate music from three highly talented players. The power of three.

Somewhere between the doomed romanticism of Tennessee Williams and the pithy, blue collar day to day Something More Than Free finds Jason Isbell celebrating the ties that bind us all.

Living up to its title, London Love Songs is a finely etched, beautifully written and recorded series of portraits that detail Sadie Jemmett’s life and loves in the capital city.