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