I love this time of year so much, the bright crisp mornings, the long and luscious evenings. I alway try to find time to relax in may and take stock of things before the year all goes a bit crazy for the summer. This has lead to a pretty chilled out list this week. I have selected 20 gorgeous songs for this week, with a few nostalgic classics from the last decade and some new releases too.

We have to start this week with the fabulous Malia Rogers, who begs you to ‘Stay,just for an hour’… I guess that’s all I am asking too, as we present another blissed out list of music to enjoy. The wonderful Emily Ashberry, from the east Midlands, released Redwood in 2023 and seemed like the perfect sound for a summer evening, staring through the leaves of a redwood and admiring the clouds beyond.

Currently building a huge following and gain the attention of the whole Folk Scene, Fife’s own Niamh Corkey, launches another outstanding, sassy and seductive treat with Better Than This. This track is warm and radiant and shows off Niamh’s versatile voice beautifully.

Now, I have always had a soft spot for Ocie Elliott, and I love that every time I hear Like a River. I wonder if they have stolen Dire Straits keyboard, there is something eerily familiar about the soft and bright synth that runs under this glorious track like the chalk at the bottom of a clear stream.

I have chosen , Seeking Splendour by the sensational Jett Kwong, to provide a delicate counterpoint in the centre of the list this week. Jett’s combines outstanding vocals with a traditional Chinese Guzheng and detailed, careful and perfectly crafted digital orchestration. This is a truly sensational sound and I urge anyone to take some time to explore Jett Kwong, there is magic in this musical backstory.

I love the trad sound of Jenn Butterworth’s, voice in the stunning and gentle song Little Sparrow from the sensational and critically acclaimed new release ‘Her By Design’ this is a brilliant album and should be top of you long play list.

We featured “constellations” from the brilliantly talentedElliot Porter, back in week 16 but I wanted to return to Elliot to share his spectacular new release, Happier. Check out his gig list as his is touring all over the place right now… See if you can pick up a ticket !

I have wrapped the week up with two sensational tunes which have a wide open theatrical style…

Check out Louise and Chris Rogan’s sensational “Things That Matter‘ this dramatic piece of piano and classic vocalsin this recording, remind me so much of that moment in a Westend show where the light finally falls on the protagonist as she look up to the spotlight beyond the audience for her breathtaking solo.The strength and love continues with the awesome broadway style sound of The Ties That Bind Us by Stephanie Phillips.

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This is the Week 21 list, published on 19th May 2025 and running until 26th May , 2025.

The List. #21.2025