More of wot I have heard…

I have bought some more new music for my birthday and this batch included the following albums:

Sea Sew by Lisa Hannigan. This is the Irish singer, songwriter and musician’s debut album which was Mercury nominated and it is a pleasant indie folk collection of songs.

Life in the Dark by Felice Brothers. The latest album from this American folk rock / country rock band is a lively foot tapping affair. I particularly like the first track Aerosol Ball.

Home Again by Michael Kiwanuka. A British soul musician who won the BBC’s Sound of 2012 with this album. He has a great voice compared to many soul heroes.

Sea of Brass by British Sea Power. This indie rock band is from Brighton and they have been compared to The Cure, Joy Division, Pixies and Arcade Fire. This album takes the band’s songs and reworks them alongside bass bands, the result is interesting and sometimes challenging, but I think ultimately rewarding.

Sing to the Moon by Laura Mvula. This is the debut album from this English recording artist that was nominated for the 2013 Mercury Prize. She is a soul/R&B singer with a strong, well-controlled voice that can be haunting and powerful in turn.

Uptown Special by Mark Ronson. This is the fourth studio album from this English record producer that has been described as ‘pop-friendly, and undeniably sexy collection of funk and R&B’ which is pretty accurate to my ear.

KC Rules OK by King Creosote. This is a studio album from this Scottish singer-songwriter from back in 2005 that uses songs written over an extended period and has a distinctive sound based in the traditional folk genre.

Our New Life Above the Ground by Avalanche City. Based in New Zealand this folk musician has a delightful gentle sound that is easy on the ears.

Saint John Divine by SJD. Another New Zealand musician recommended to me by friends has released this quirky collection of electronic rock songs that I think have a noticable NZ sound to them.