Joshua Radin – Wax Wings

Self-released, 2013

A folksy, indie-lite singer/songwriter who isn’t complaining about the trappings of love? A nice change of direction, Radin embraces the life affirming moments of love instead. Breezy melodies, sweeping strings and detailed piano work allow his confessional lyrics to sound extremely heartfelt. Occasionally this gets fuller sounding, though Radin can keep your attention just fine on his own. Imagine a more polished version of City And Colour on prozac.

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Dawes – Stories Don’t End

HUB, 2013

More breezy, folksy, warm Americana from one of the best of the genre, Dawes bring mid-tempo bar rockers as well as stripped down balladry to the table. The ’70s tag they’ve always held is still intact, though there’s an overall more vivid skip in their step, and even some experimenting in their guitars and fleeting synths. Their most non-retro and meticulous album to date.

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Sonny Smith – 100 Records Vol. 3

Polyvinyl, 2013

Drawing from a deep bag of retro influences, Smith pens an album with a mix tape feel that covers ’50s and ’60s sounds, and country and folk sensibilities. The idea here was that 100 artists designed record covers for 100 fictional bands and Smith penned a song for each of them. This final installment brings surf rock, funk/soul and bluesy-folk. A quick listen of lo-fi fun, there’s something for everyone with an ear for nostalgia here.

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Naomi Greenwald – Composite

Transom, 2013

A soulful, warm ’70s feel mixed with ’90s indie-rock flavor, the 5 songs here shift from upbeat, guitar driven rock to piano led maudlin moments. Greenwald’s voice is somewhere between silky smooth and hushed and sultry, and her songs reveal some of the darker, intimate thoughts she harbours. A good mix of folk-pop and timeless rock’n'roll – if Fleetwood Mac grew up on Matt Pond it might sound like this.

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Highasakite – In And Out Of Weeks

Propeller, 2013

Norwegian indie-pop that would be right at home with the brightest stars of the genre, this five song EP blends synth-rock with ’60s pop and folk music from their home country. Frontwoman Ingrid Havik’s voice is nothing short of mesmerizing, leading into sing-a-long choruses you won’t forget. With heavy use of keys, bright hooks and a dreamy atmosphere, this is one of the best EPs of the year so far.

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Annie Dressner – East Twenties

Self-released, 2013

A New York émigré who’s made a home of Cambridge in the UK, singer-songwriter Annie Dressner’s new EP – the follow-up to 2011′s debut album Strangers Who Knew Each Other’s Names – comprises four tracks of earnest, heartwarming heartache. There’s an Americana twang to Dressner’s easy, confiding lilt and the gently picked and strummed guitar, and a faint hint of Joanna Newsom-like folky twee. Keys and cello are used to stirring effect, and any over-sentimentality that might have crept in is shooed by Dressner’s plain-spoken lyrics – which are all the more poignant because of it. Hard to resist.

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