Albums

Allison de Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves join forces for an exceptional debut album that draws on old-time music from musicians before them, acknowledging the diversity that has always existed in the genre.

Having spent several restless years in search and motion, it would seem Jurado has finally found a shore on which to set anchor and land, the fact that he wrote these songs many years ago fittingly echoing the sense of waiting for time to unfold its plans.

Mile Twelve are part of the new bluegrass generation, taking tradition and shaping it within a contemporary approach as they demonstrate so well on City on a Hill.

Otterburn is still recognisably – and brilliantly – part of Neilson’s impressive and growing catalogue of work, but these are songs hacked out of the rock of grief and raw emotion, and they are something quite special.

Even when surrounded by the nascent folk-rock of the Albion Band, Shirley’s voice rings out true, true to the tune and true to the song. It still rings out true today and what a most fitting album to present to a new generation to listen to and learn from.

Cut it Down, Count the Rings does not feel much like a debut album. The songs and performances are strong and confident, the playing, too, is top-draw – it all feels at once new and utterly focused and considered. Hats fully off to Copper Viper.

Travelling Bright is not an album of instant, frivolous gratification. Its songs are long and often complex…But the more you engage with music the more rewarding it can be, and Travelling Bright might just be one of the most rewarding albums you’ll hear all year.

Kathryn Tickell’s music flows so naturally you could be forgiven for thinking it’s plucked from the air. Hollowbone belies that notion in magnificent style. The music is complex and animated, exploring the mists of millennia but singing in a clear, contemporary voice… a wonderful, brave, and intoxicating album.

Simple, insightful, heartfelt and lyrical, Danny Schmidt’s ninth solo album ‘Standard Deviation’ finds him in a reflective mood and deserves to rank among the year’s finest releases.

It’s so refreshing to hear so many songs and melodies that we have almost forgotten how much we love, but to hear Diane sing them backed by Manus Lunny and his incredible squad, they breath new life into old traditions, guaranteeing their survival for at least another generation.

Kinloch Nelson is a skilled player whose technique and broad repertoire inform his modest and intelligent guitar playing. There is a lot to enjoy and admire and indeed return to inside this forty minutes of material.

Here There’s No Sirens is the first solo album from Case Hardin’ main-man Pete Gow. It’s a remarkable record, engendering, in varying proportions, elements of beauty, discomfort, empathy and guilt.  Something for everyone then.