Wotcheor

Jez Lowe

For my money Jez Lowe is a more authentic 'Northern' singer and songwriter than Acts like the Unthanks, whilst they trade on the cliche of 'it's melancholic up North' Jez manages to reflect the truth of the northern character through real world humour and observation.

The unusual format of presenting the songs as if they were set in a 1950's radio show actually works quite well. As ever the songwriting and musicianship are A1.

www.jezlowe.com

Hedonism

Bellowhead

They have pulled out all of the stops with this album, recorded at Abbey Road with a producer boasting a longer CV than any of the band members and a marketing push that puts U2 to shame...

What is the result? The best Bellowhead album to date for sure, but does it capture what makes them such a popular festival band? It is the closest so far, Leckie has found some clear space between all those instruments vying for our attention like puppies desperate to please. For the first time each member has a place in the sound. Still the ultimate folk party band doing what they do very well, but why so sad on the sleeve pics?

bellowhead.co.uk

The Antiquated and the Arcane

3 Daft Monkeys

This new album brings back their original drummer, and what a difference the percussion makes. With drums and bass carrying the rhythm the guitsr and fiddle have more chance to explore the melodies.

This still has that high energy cheeky monkey sense of fun yet it explores a darker and more emotional edge than their previous albums. Doors of Perception in particular is spine tingling. The songwriting is more personal resulting in the most rounded album from the band yet - wonderful stuff.

3daftmonkeys.co.uk

All Along The Wall

Various

The Darwin Project started a bit of a trend for bunging some songwriters in a house and seeing what comes out after a few days. It's an interesting concept as it drags the artists out of their insular comfort zone and requires close collaboration.

This particular variation has Hadrians Wall as it's theme, that symbol of imperial might coming up against the Picts, the original Northern hard men. Cruelly denied the showpiece it deserved at the cancelled Brampton Festival this album has a sparkling collection of songs from some of our best songwriters.

The New Farming Scene

Southern Tenant Folk Union

With Pat McGarvey at the helm, the STFU continue to plough a fertile furrow of seasoned folk and bluegrass. Backed by a fine band, the strings sigh in sympathy with Pat's tough and tender tales of work and a meagre existence - the trad 'South Ythsie' being a well chosen opener. The reoccurring themes are lifted with close harmony singing and the occasional jaunty rhythm, but it's the passionate fervour of the delivery that seals a victory.

Also, watch out for the new EP, Old Black Crow. Available now as a download.

southerntenantfolkunion.com

Echoes From The Mountain

Various

Rif Mountain have released this 15-track specially recorded tribute album to the Village Thing label reworked by their artists and friends. So original VT artists Wizz Jones and Steve Tilston appear alongside Stephen Cracknell, Starless & Bible Black, Jane Weaver, The Owls Service and many more.

Issued to coincide with the Ghosts from The Bsement event at Cecil Sharp house in Sept 2010 it is a haunting reminder and reworking of that material from the early 1970's. It proves that psych-folk is alive and well in the here and now.

rifmountain.com