Back catalogue: Folk/Americana

Review: Searows is the moniker of Alec Duckart, a Portland-based indie folk star who is signed to Matt Maltese's label Last Recordings On Earth. Searows is influenced by the likes of Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver and Iron & Wine and his falsetto has a similar power and timbre to that of his formative influences. Opening track 'Martingale' is beautifully stripped down and pulls you as a listener close to his soul. Meanwhile, on 'To Be Seen' Searows comes across like he's lamenting the death of something and it is a proper tear-jerker. Contrastingly, 'Toothache' is brighter with percussion and delay-laden electric guitar showing his talent for rich, lush arrangements. Matt Maltese has struck gold here by signing Searows. Plus, they're well-suited as they each appear to enjoy delving into post-apocalyptic work. Searows' previous release (on the Last Recordings On Earth label) is called End Of The World and before starting this label, Maltese released his hit single as a solo artist: 'As The World Caves In'. They suit it all so well.

Review: American indie folk artist Joan Shelley returns with Mood Ring, an emo-chromic new record. Celebrated for her soft and folky sound, Shelley's latest follows 2020's The Spur, which did develop one of her many MOs: to orchestrally augment Americana music. Yet it lacked much of the stylistic variation on display here on Mood Ring, which flaunts the breadth of her talent through chambered, variably galvanic songs. A curious formal exercise, too, the record is an LP but contains nothing on the B-side, sparing the listener the unseemly chore of having to flip it over. This is as much an "ahh"-inducing record as can be, then, with 'Fire Of The Morning' restoring the listener to health after, the lyrics attest, singeing our ears in an allegorical housefire; and 'I Look After You' concluding things on a blue, cushioned vocal ostinato.

Review: Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros' 'Johnny Appleseed,' now released on 45 rpm, is a standout track that blends Strummer's punk roots with a newfound warmth. The song opens with a soft acoustic guitar and evolves into a vibrant mix of shimmery organs, sprightly mandolins, and a rousing chorus. Unlike the raw energy of Strummer's Clash days, this track exudes a sunny, campfire vibe. Lyrically, Strummer's incisive commentary remains sharp. Lines like "if you're after getting the honey / then you don't go killing all the bees" and the poignant "Look there goes / Martin Luther King / notice how the door closes / when the chimes of freedom ring" showcase his enduring humanist spirit. The choruses, filled with joyous singalongs, transform the song's underlying grimness into an uplifting celebration of solidarity. 'Johnny Appleseed' masterfully marries Strummer's past and present, making it a compelling and joyful listen.

Review: Sun's Signature is one of the many diasporic offshoots of the dream pop world trailblazed by the Cocteau Twins and bands like them. The collaborative project of the Twins' Elizabeth Fraser and Bunnymen/Spiritualized percussionist Damon Reece, the duo's debut EP - now reissued on vinyl a year after its digital debut on Partisan - came as a unique curveball for either artist. Five tracks of distinctive chamber pop whirl away on the hi-fi, playing out in a midst of synaesthetically yellow-tinged dream haze, with forensic traces of trip-hop and film music to boot. Afraid netiher of folk harmonies nor huge-roomed drum workouts, the likes of 'Apples', 'Bluedusk' and 'Make Lovely The Day' are sure to go down as enduring additions to the dream pop continuum.