Completing the third taster from Charm Of Finches new album "Marlinchen In The Snow" is their latest single" If You Know Me". It sets the expectation that this album is going to be an incredibly variable soundscape. Following the sleek punchy pop of "Clean Cut" and the kooky brilliance of "Middle Of Your Mess", this latest single is probably their most conventional sounding yet is blessed with a beautiful self awareness which translates into a most hypnotic tune that also features a guest 2nd verse appearance from Paper Kite's front man Sam Bentley. It covers the initial mystique that might ..read more

With each passing release, Macartney Reinhardt reminds us of just what a talent she possesses. Her back catalogue is all quality, devoid of any fillers, she started brilliantly and has continued to improve. Her latest single "High Horse" seems likely to be her biggest leap forwards yet, it is just bigger all round. The sound is easily Macartney's most impressive yet, the production required to marshal this sound is on another level while Macartney's singing on this track is going to blow peoples socks off from the sassy start through to the fantastic finale it is truly special - if you thoug ..read more

Having spent ten years writing for other folk, it is perhaps time for Nicole Croteau to stand up and take her turn in the spotlight. She's had a few singles out before, each of them very good although it is hard to pin Nicole down to a particular style, "I Don't Drink" from 2021 was more of a piano ballad, while 2023's efforts "Something I Would Do" and "Little Things" were more outright, up front country tunes. This year though has already seen the smouldering country soul of "Who Do You Love?" and Nicole's star seems set to rise further with her latest "Jill Of All Trades", a title so goo ..read more

Despite sometimes being a bit clunky to get into a song, when someone English sings a song in French it can give a tune a little "Je ne sais quoi". I've always favoured Teardrop Explodes "Traison ( C'est Juste Une Histoire )" to the native version and David Bowie's "Heroes" is equally charming in it's own way when sung in a Gallic voice. All of which brings us to Hannah White who looks all set to sip a glass of merlot and maybe puff on a Gauloise as she stares out from the cover of her latest single "Sans Desepoir" or "Without Despair" if you'd prefer the translation. To all intents and pur ..read more

In the week that the next batch of artists playing The Long Road festival was released, there's a new single from someone who made the festival so much fun last year for #TEAMw21 and that is Avery Anna. Her latest song "Two Sides Of The Story" is packed with drama before a note is even played, the cover pic has a picture of Avery looking perturbed, hurt, confused maybe, with a somewhat wary look in her eye. As things commence with a slow piano and guitar intro there is a quality of songwriting on display that is both pragmatic and extremely mature in outlook - as break up songs go this is m ..read more

Rachel Croft immediately grabbed our attention within seconds of us first spying her in a support slot at 229 with her song "Reap What You Sow". It was played slowly to just an electric guitar, the words delivered clipped and cutting. She was tall, even without the boots that added a few more inches with a great sense of humour. She would mention on that night that she played with a band and that they rock, yet so far the fates have conspired against us seeing what a rocking Rachel Croft would be like - until now! This song and the accompanying video give more than just an idea, prepare to ..read more

With a cover picture capturing Brooke Law in mid head swing, her hair flying in all directions, it is time for he rnew single "Gypsy Woman".. It's UK live debut came at The Slaughtered Lamb where Brooke was supporting Sinead Burgess, reasonably fresh after it was created on a Songwriters retreat in Texas. That night it was played solo, this version shows Brooke with her most overtly Americana sounding single yet - it also rocks, expect to play it loud and annoy the neighbours! The "Gypsy Woman" is a dark mysterious often alluring figure that crops in Americana music all the time, from Cher ..read more

Tasked with bringing the blues to the South of England is Adam Sweet and his band - and it's a challenge he accepts readily. It's been a few years since we caught Adam at his bluesy best and there has been one major change in the addition of keyboard sound, a sumptuous one at that, which really brings a new dimension to the overall sound. This EP has the curious combination of being live yet not live in front of an audience as far as we can tell, so you get the excitement of hearing the band live in action but in a properly balanced studio. The EP opens with "The Stumble", an old Freddie K ..read more

With the "Round Up" on temporary hiatus, it seems like it has been a while since we have heard from Two Ways Home but they are back back back with a new single "Medicine Man". Not only are they returning to action but they are now rockier than ever before. For anyone that has seen "Festival" Two Ways Home as opposed to "Round Up" Two Ways Home this may not come as a total surprise. Lewis is often to be found at Buckle and Boots even if TWH are not playing as lead guitarist for someone else, relishing making a bit of noise and anyone that saw the Two Way Home album show at The Half Moon or in ..read more

A chance to see one of the original Country 2 Country pop up artists and one surely destined to play there soon afforded itself with a well chosen double bill at the Sound Lounge. Ags is currently touring promoting his most recent album "Siempre" while Savannah is working hard across the London circuit raising her profile considerably, Introduced by Paul Sexton as being the "Proper stuff", the evening would prove him to be right on a highly entertaining evening. Savannah would take to the stage in her eye catching black outfit topped off with white boots, her long blonde hair tumbling down ..read more