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Michelle Branch: The Trouble With Fever review – solid country-pop, not notes on a scandal

While the album lands some damning jabs, the songwriting is insightful and even-keeled

Margo Cilker review – perfectly crafted Americana for the open road

In a small pub gig, this extraordinary US singer-songwriter makes country and western her newly minted own

Watkins Family Hour: Vol II review – a great night out with ringside seats

US siblings Sara and Sean Watkins are joined by Fiona Apple, Jackson Browne and more on another set of old classics and new favourites in Nashville form

Amanda Shires: Take It Like a Man review – reimagining country strong

The frequently epic seventh album from the Nashville iconoclast digs into the sexuality, stoicism and vulnerability of modern womanhood

Joan Shelley: The Spur review – timeless and vital Americana

Pretty but unsentimental reflections on putting down roots inform the singer-songwriter’s elegant seventh album

Mavis Staples & Levon Helm: Carry Me Home review – a final blaze of glory for the late Band musician

On poignant yet defiant recordings made in 2011 shortly before Helm’s death, Staples’ commanding vocals give enormous vibrancy to blues, folk and soul standards

Leyla McCalla: Breaking the Thermometer review – one radio station’s heroic stance

The Haitian-American musician explores the troubled history of creole-language Radio Haiti on her rewarding fourth album

caroline review – a heady, up-close gig for our fractured times

The south London band’s mix of loud-quiet folk-rock and drone instrumentals is transformed live into a bewitching exercise in musical brinkmanship

Crooked Tree by Molly Tuttle review – classy bluegrass for modern America

Upbeat and melodic, the Californian singer’s third album ropes in Gillian Welch on a set of songs more concerned with strong women than strong whiskey

Billy Strings: Renewal review – bold and beautifully written bluegrass

Revelations about heartbreak, America and addiction combine with banjo workouts in a testament to complex humanity

Neil Young and Crazy Horse: Barn review – reliably ragged and still sounding great

Their 14th album together sounds much as you’d expect – and that’s absolutely nothing to complain about

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss: Raise the Roof review – uplifting and enthralling

From blue-eyed soul to English folk, the unlikely dream team’s second instalment of covers is a welcome dose of musical reassurance

Hiss Golden Messenger: Quietly Blowing It review – a gentle kind of protest music

MC Taylor offers up soulful Dylan-esque country rockers about the impact of the system on ordinary lives

Pearl Charles: Magic Mirror review – LA singer’s sugar and strife

Combining various soft rock touchstones, Charles’s new album sometimes veers into cloyingly sentimental pastiche

Frazey Ford review – an emotional, imperfect, lyrical balm

The cult Canadian country singer cooks up an exquisite livestreamed set with honeyed funk, buttery vocals and plenty of soul

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  • Mike D review – ex-Beastie Boy’s first UK gig in two decades, in a Tyneside bingo hall, is uproarious fun
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  • Jack White review – former White Stripe’s art is like a 12-year-old visiting Tate Modern for the first time
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  • Iceage: For Love of Grace & the Hereafter review – Danish punks ace sixth stellar album on the trot
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  • 125th anniversary gala concert review – back to 1901 as Wigmore celebrates birthday playing to its strengths
  • Sugar review – Bob Mould’s reunited band still in a sweet spot between noise and melody
  • Paul McCartney: The Boys of Dungeon Lane review – at 83, his gift for melody still astounds

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