Right, so, Manchester's own Robert McGinty is back. "Reflections," they call it. Twelve classical instrumentals. Twelve! Like the apostles, but...less preachy, more piano-y. It's supposed to be uplifting and joyful, this album, a sequel of sorts, tracking his growth since the debut. Did you know the collective noun for owls is a parliament? Completely unrelated, I know, but owls are wise, and there's a...

Kwolek's album, “T > H > I > S”, presents itself not just as music, but as a meticulously self-contained universe, shaped entirely by one pair of hands – from the songwriting straight through to the final cover design. It’s a lonely planet populated by distinct misfits, each broadcasting their internal monologues from a different, slightly staticky frequency. There’s an undeniable intimacy born from...