My Favourite Albums Of 2021

16. Marina Allen - Candlepower 

15. Margo Cilker - Pohorylle

14. Ashley Monroe - Rosegold

13. Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails Over The Country Club

12. Pearl Charles - Magic Mirror

11. Kacey Musgraves - Star-Crossed

10. Dinosaur Jr. - Sweep It Into Space

9. St. Vincent - Daddy's Home

8. Brandi Carlile - In These Silent Days

7. Juliana Hatfield - Blood 

6. Sierra Ferrell - Long Time Coming

5. Sturgill Simpson - The Ballad Of Dood & Juanita

4. Lana Del Rey - Blue Banisters

3. Snail Mail - Valentine 

2. Lindsey Buckingham - Lindsey Buckingham 

1. Marina - Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land

Best Gigs Of 2019

I didn't go to as many shows this year but it was definitely quality over quantity as there were still so many memorable moments. 

Ashley Monroe at Bush Hall

Ashley Monroe
Sean McConnell
Bush Hall, 30 January 2019

Sparrow, the latest album by country star Ashley Monroe (also of the supergroup Pistol Annies) is a lush, strings-filled affair, the music gently reflecting the emotion of the heart-felt, personal songs. It's a showstopper and one of the best records of last year. Yet, here she is alone on a stage in the beautifully, atmospheric Bush Hall, with just her powerful voice and an acoustic guitar and somehow it is as full and as affecting as all those strings and epic sounds. That's because beneath the wonderful production, Monroe is a brilliant storyteller, a fantastic songwriter and a powerful performer. All she needs is a guitar and she manages to captivate us all: she is spellbinding.

My Favorite Albums Of 2018

There have been some years while I've been writing this blog where I have struggled to come up with even 10 albums I've loved released in the previous 12 months. This year though has had so many I've loved instead it's been hugely difficult to whittle it down to just 10. There were two EPs in particular that wowed me that didn't make the list simply because they weren't long players: Alison Sudol, formerly A Fine Frenzy, making her debut as a solo artist with the dreamily atmospheric Moon EP and the brilliant "super-group" Boy Genius, combining the talents of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker. I hope we'll get proper albums from both of them.