Birdpen
All Function One
Haunting sixth album from Birdpen is a protest against technology’s stranglehold on our lives and society
Various
Riding The Rock Machine: British Seventies Classic Rock
Well-researched three CD box set which provides to the listener with a compelling sonic history of 1970's rock's lesser-known acts as well as also its legends
Black Pistol Fire
Look Alive
Canadian duo Black Pistol Fire offer impassioned and energetic rock with some subtle twists and turns
First Aid Kit
Who By Fire
Excellent tribute album to Leonard Cohen recorded live over two nights at the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm by sibling duo First Aid Kit
Steve Robinson
Swallowing the Sun
Classic folky-pop with Beatle touches. on first album in five years from former Headlight and Roger McGuinn sideman Steve Robinson
Nick Cave And Warren Ellis
Carnage
Intense and versatile collaboration between Nick Cave and his fellow Bad Seeds member Warren Ellis
Global Village Trucking Company
Smiling Revolution
Impressive double CD anthology on Cherry Red from Iconic communal band The Global Village Trucking Company
Django Django
Glowing in the Dark
Uplifting and memorable fourth album from critically acclaimed London-based art rock band Django Django
Fanfara Awantura
Prawdziwie polskie techno
Ingenious blend of brass and techno music from Polish act Fanfara Awantura
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
All The Good Times
Intimate and acoustic covers album from leading Americana duo Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
Ted Barnes
17 Postcards
Cinematic and richly rewarding solo album from Beth Orton guitarist and composer Ted Barnes
Bryan Ferry
Royal Albert Hall 2020
Excellent live album from Bryan Ferry, recorded at the Royal Albert Hall just before lockdown, all proceeds of which go to his touring musicians and road crew
Direct Hits
The Broadway Recording Sessions
Enjoyable compilation of Mod pop trio Direct Hits’ early recording sessions which are finally released by Optic Nerve Recordings but is mostly targeted at already converted fans.
Virginia Wing
private LIFE
Fifth LP which captures the present difficult times from experimental Manchester trio.Virginia Wing
Damn Vandals
You Me the Devil and the Sunshine
A year’s worth of pent-up energy and emotion blasts through Damn Vandals' new album with one banger after another
Zara Larsson
Poster Girl
Upbeat and positive latest album from acclaimed Swedish singer-songwriter and pop artist Zara Larsson
Coldharbourstores
Dearly Devoted
Sweetly jangling but flawed fourth album from London-based band Coldharbourstores
Lake Street Dive
Obviously
Unpredictable and innovative eighth album from Brooklyn-based five-piece act Lake Street Dive who have worked on this new release with hip-hop producer Mike Elizondo
Conrad Clipper
Herons' Book oF Dreams
Anonymous German composer Conrad Clipper’s second album is full of wistful piano instrumentals
Nature's Neighbor
Otherside
Eclectic twelfth album from Chicago-formed band Nature’s Neighbor which reflects upon the current pandemic
Sonia
Everybody Knows - The SIngles Box Set
Pure pop perfection on six CD box set from Hit Factory starlet Sonia
Eisenhowers
Judge a Man By the Company He Keeps
Confident Elvis Costello-influenced indie rock on latest album from Scottish band The Eisenhowers
Jason Ringenberg
Rhinestoned
Highly enjoyable solo effort, which was recorded during the 2020 Covid lockdown, from Tennessee’s Jason Ringenberg, one of the early pioneers of alt. country
Various
Shake the Foundations: Militant Funk and the Post-Punk Dancefloor 1978-1984
Impressive three CD box set from Cherry Red follows up the success of their previous post-punk box sets with this reflection into the more danceable part of the scene
Darrell Scott
Jaruso
Intimate live album recorded in an old church from Nashville-based singer-songwriter Darrell Scott which proves a heartwarming listen
Arlo Parks
Collapsed in Sunbeams
Inspirational debut album whose influences include Sylvia Plath from London musician and poet, Arlo Parks
Steve Earle
J.T.
Thoughtful and emotive album from Steve Earle, in which he pays tribute to his son Justin Townes Earle who died of an accidental drugs overdose last year by covering a collection of Justin’s songs
Barry Gibb
Greenfields
Appealing new album from Barry Gibb in which he has reworked some of his classic catalogue with a range of country artists including Dolly Parton, Keith Urban, Alison Krauss and Sheryl Crow.
Celeste
Not Your Muse
Fantastic debut album from Celeste who lives up to all her promise after winning a BRITS Rising Star award
Sharhabil Ahmed
The King of Sudanese Jazz
Festive frenzy funk on compilation album from 1970's era Sudanese musician Sharhabil Ahmed
Urlaub in Polen
All
Impressive sixth album and first in nine years from Cologne new wave krautrockers Urlaub in Polen
Rick Shea
Love and Desperation
Convincing new album from veteran country singer-songwriter Rick Shea which finds him on top of his game and undeterred by Covid restrictions using remote recording techniques with his band
McKenzie FIX
Pandora's Box
Over-polished but eclectic debut album from the McKenzie FIX, the new project of acclaimed Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter Ewan McKenzie
Myles Cochran
Unsung
Building on the promise of last year’s ‘My Own Devices’ EP, American bluegrass and country instrumental musician Myles Cochran’s new album shows his talents to the full
Iain Matthews
Fake Tan
Enjoyable new album from Fairport Convention and Matthews Southern Comfort’s Iain Matthews, which he has recorded with Norwegian musicians The Salmon Smokers
Pearl Charles
Magic Mirror
Eclectic second album from rising Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Pearl Charles
Nick Cave
Idiot Prayer
Intense but quietly hopeful and resilient live piano-and-voice album from Nick Cave recorded alone in the empty Alexandra Palace in London
Taylor Swift
Evermore
Impressive second album in a year from Taylor Swift which finds her continuing to develop in an indie-folk direction
My Darling Clementine
Country Darkness
Excellent and unpredictable set of Elvis Costello covers from country duo My Darling Clementine
Conny Frischauf
Die Drift
First-rate synth pop which combines modern and vintage sounds on debut album from Viennese electronic artist Conny Frischauf
Rats on Rafts
Excerpts from Chapter 3: The Mind Runs a Net of Rabbit Paths
Unusual but brilliant psych pop on long-awaited third album from Rotterdam-based group Rats On Rafts
RVDS
Moods and Dances 2021
Flawed but promising electronica on new album from Hamburg-based DJ RVDS
Staves
Good Woman
Resilient and emotive first album in five years from Watford-based folk-pop sister trio The Staves
Jane Weaver
Flock
Optimistic latest album from 'Modern Kosmonaut' Jane Weaver which provides a vision for the brighter future that we all need
Randolph’s Leap
Spirit Level
Scottish folk-pop collective Randolph's Leap’s new album is full of catchy melodies and sunny skies
Dr Feelgood
Greatest Hits
Electrifying double CD compilation which spans nearly fifty years of music from Canvey Island’s Dr Feelgood
Joanna Connor
4801 South Indiana Avenue
Extraordinary album from Joanna Connor, which, produced by Joe Bonamassa, pays tribute to the Chicago blues club scene
Black Country, New Road
For the First Time
Experimental and promising debut album from eclectic Cambridge septet Black Country, New Road
JIM
Falling That You Know
Mellow West Coast pop on enjoyable debut EP from JIM, the new project of Crazy P's Jim Baron
Weather Station
Ignorance
Environmentally-conscious latest album from The Weather Station, the project of Canadian songwriter Tamara Lindeman, which finds her moving away from her acoustic roots
Still Corners
The Last Exit
Remarkable fifth album from dream pop pioneers Still Corners who for inspiration for this new record have taken an extraordinary trip into the American desert in search of something beyond our normal vision
Telescopes
Songs of Love and Revolution
Haunting and also surprisingly accessible twelfth album from London-based veteran noise/experimental rockers the Telescopes
Lost Doves
Set Your Sights Towards the Sun
Evocative and beautiful debut album from folk rock duo the Lost Doves, which provides a welcome antidote to these dark times.
Gary Lucas
The Essential Gary Lucas
Wide-ranging retrospective on eclectic career of guitarist Gary Lucas reflects his roles as Gods and Monsters band leader and adventurous collaborator with such as Jeff Buckley and Captain Beefheart
Kode9
The Jackpot
Energetic new digital only single from Scottish dubstep pioneer Kode9
Paul McCartney
McCartney III
Fantastic third all-solo album from Paul McCartney which he recorded spontaneously during lockdown
Davey Woodward and the WInter Orphans
Love and Optimism
Veteran Bristol mmsician Davey Woodward releases the flawed masterpiece he has always hinted at with the second album with his band the Winter Orphans
Annie Dressner
Coffee at the Corner Bar
Melancholic but also surprisingly upbeat third album from New York-born but now UK-based singer-songwriter Annie Dressner
Slow Readers Club
91 Days in Isolation
Excellent second album for 2020 from the Slow Readers Club, which created in very different circumstances from their last album proves a reminder of their energy and creativity
Michael J Sheehy
Distance is the Soul of Gravity
Sublime and understated but also emotionally rich first album in ten years from Michael J Sheehy