Blair Dunlop’s “What Still Survives” has many standout moments, one of the most impressive is the overall backbone of its sound, or what Bob Dylan described back in 1966 as ‘wild mercury’. It is an expansive, lyrically immersive album from an artist truly commanding and refining his expressive voice.

Mali Obomsawin’s “Automatic” is a stylistic left-turn made on her own terms. She stretches genre until it is practically unrecognisable and uses improvisation to move between tranquillity and chaos. Archival voices highlight the close relationship between her ancestral heritage and her current practice, dissolving the linear notion of time. A moving and masterful album that makes you want to go right back to the start.

In a special guest article, Darren Hayman discusses his artwork that runs alongside his songs, and how those two worlds relate to each other: “I am almost always singing about people…In my paintings, people don’t feature at all.” Painting now makes up more than half his income. “Drawing makes my heart rate slower, whilst music makes it go faster.”

This Is The Kit shares “Safety Valve”, a new single from their upcoming album “Ghost Coat”, due January 15th, 2027 on Memphis Industries. Kate Stables dedicates the song for friends who come to your rescue. The album features several collaborators: “I was really keen to not only ask people to sing on the album, but to make sure that you can hear their individual voices.”

Viv & Riley share their new single and video “Sourwood”, a grounding song written by Viv that reflects on ageing, loss and life’s beauty. It was recorded live to tape in Frome with producer Dom Monks, just the two of them singing into the same mic, a few feet apart. Watch the accompanying video.

Jeffrey Silverstein’s understated elegance comes into full focus on “Doggone”, his fourth LP and first for Full Time Hobby. Recorded in Portland with local musicians and clocking in at just under half an hour, it’s as lean as it gets, and all the better for it. No notes are wasted.