Albums

The Left Outsides have crafted an impressive synthesis of sound in The Shape Of Things To Come. Although the band wear their love of 1960s psychedelia/folk/pop/rock on their sleeve, they have a strong enough sense of self-identity to suggest that it will sound fresh for a long time to come.

Anna Laube’s self-titled third album offers a stylistically eclectic brew, part sugarcandy, part bourbon, sweet but with a real kick.

Iris Dement’s latest album ‘The Trackless Woods’ is inspired by the writings of Russian poet Anna Akhmatova…”some cultural enlightenment and enrichment and an album of the year all in one perfect package.”

Cape Snow is a cross-continental collaboration between Los Angeles-based singer Bree Scanlon and members of the long- running New England based band Tiger Saw. One to be swept away in, like giddy hearts.

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.

Departures is the debut release from London-based quintet Owl & Mouse, fronted by Brisbane singer-songwriter and ukulele player Hannah Botting.

Oddity, the debut album release from West Midlands based band Bethan and the Morgans shows great promise and the potential to strike on something demanding wider scale attention sooner rather than later.

Tender Gold and Gentle Blue is the latest offering from Red River Dialect, a band formed in Falmouth, Cornwall, in 2009. In the words of M.C. Taylor “Theirs is a focused longing, a confusion of soul, a visionary lamentation”.

Along with John Leventhal at the SummerTyne Americana Festival, Rosanne Cash demonstrated just how important the aural traditions inherent in folk and roots music still are to modern song writing. She can certainly count herself part of that ongoing continuum of music with its roots planted firmly in the soil of the American South.

‘Tied To The Moon’ is a hugely impressive album from Rachel Sermanni who’s proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the eclectic field of contemporary folk.

Retaining the boundless energy of Kíla’s early releases, Suas Sios is a rousing, exhilarating experience.  The bewildering array of instruments produces a form of Celtic folk with orchestral depth and detail that makes for a listen as fascinating is it is exciting.

On Eas, Iain Morrison joins the uprising of the Gaelic community’s pop-rock ‘fusioneers’ , his strongest and most heart-warming to date, an absolute pleasure to listen to.