Ags Connolly is a country singer-songwriter from Oxfordshire, England and his new album Nothin’ Unexpected came out on the always great UK-label At The Helm Records on 3rd of February. If you are into traditional country music, you’ll need to hear this one. Ags is sort of beating most American country troubadours in their own game. Honky tonk and old-school country balladry delivered into your heart with an extremely convincing singing voice. He sure has both the songs and the voice and Nothin’ Unexpected is a country gem.

After falling for this second album, I’ve red a lot of good things about his debut album How About Now. I need to check out that one as well, because I’m often a slow learner and had not heard anything about Ags Connolly before late last year. This however is I Hope You’re Unhappy from the new album.

Ags Connolly Website

MAITA is a chamber-folk songwriter from Portland, Oregon and her debut EP Waterbearer came out on the 27th of January. I didn’t know anything about her a week ago, but this EP easily won my heart over. There’s a large amount of songwriters writing beautiful indie folk these days, but this one has the quality to stand up from the crowd. Well-crafted folk songs with beautiful melodies and intriquing structures. Another Portland-based songwriter Laura Veirs might be a good comparison. Maybe not all the time, but especially the fantastic title track reminds me a bit of Laura Veirs. Waterbearer is my biggest personal favourite, but all five songs are winners.

As a fellow shy and anti-social wallflower, I’m also very intriqued to hear MAITA singing her heart out and sharing her views of life through these songs. She has found the confidence with these songs that I’m still searching with my silly blog ramblings, but in some very small way I do feel like I’m doing something similar as she is with her songs. Expressing my thoughts and emotions in a social situation often gets too overwhelming and downwright impossible, but by doing this blog I’ve found a way to divide my extreme shyness into something manageable and share my love for the world, you and MAITA. This is the amazing title track Waterbearer that is a perfect ending to this marvellous release.

And here’s the video for the excellent opening song Kinder Than Most.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=c51DnoXuvOM

Maita at Facebook

There’s also a new Wharfer album out, available and ready to claim a place in your heart. Scenes Of The Tourist came out on the 13th of January and it’s a really strong and captivating folk album. Wharfer aka Kyle Wall writes music that is quietly mesmerizing. Maybe not something that I listen to every day, but when the time is right it’s a magical companion to late night wondering. On the same ball park or close by as Bill Callahan, Little Wings or Finnish Lac Belot, if you want some kind of clue where this could fall. Better option is to just hit play button below and let it fall in to your heart. This is my current favourite Blue Lewis from the new Wharfer album Scenes of the Tourist.

Wharfer at Facebook

Perry Brown is a songwriter from Troy, Alabama and the frontman of a great band called Fire Mountain. His new solo album Become My Blood came out on 13th of January on This Is American Music. It took him a long while to get it officially out and available, but it was worth the wait. Become My Blood is a beautiful album filled with sincere, warm and unashamedly romantic folk songs. The album is dedicated to his wife and son and his unconditional love for his family shines through in the songs. This is Closer Than I Appear from this new and highly recommended album.

Perry Brown at Facebook