New this week: Shawn Colvin, Vance Joy, John Mayall, and more

Wendy Geller
·Writer, Yahoo Entertainment

Searching for something to listen to this weekend? Yahoo Entertainment has you covered, with a rundown of some of this week’s biggest and buzzing releases, from artists including Shawn Colvin, Vance Joy, John Mayall, and more. Check back every Friday for a fresh list of albums to help stock your weekend playlists.

Shawn Colvin: The Starlighter (SLCRecordings). Colvin’s latest album of songs is adapted from the children’s music book Lullabies and Night Songs, which she loved as a child and also drew upon when recording as a mother-to-be in 1998. She returns to this inspiration for her latest, presenting 14 songs that are a mix of traditional numbers and children’s standards.

Vance Joy: Nation of Two (Atlantic). The Australian singer-songwriter’s sophomore effort offers up 13 Pinterest-worthy songs about love and relationships, delivered with a breezy, earnest and earthy flair — and some ukuleles to boot.

John Mayall: Three for the Road (Forty Below). This live album is drawn from two of Mayall’s concerts recorded in Germany with his trio, featuring Greg Rzab and Jay Davenport. The set list includes a nice mix of recent tunes and old classics.

Femi Kuti: One People One World (Knitting Factory). Femi Kuti’s 10th studio album has the combination of infectious Afrobeat compositions mixed with keen political and social criticism/commentary. Most of all, it’s the perfect touches of funk that move things along.

Grant-Lee Phillips: Widdershins (Yep Roc). The Nashville-based singer-songwriter is both intense and vulnerable on his ninth solo album, adding a touch of wry wit to his signature command of melodies.

Tony Banks: 5 (BMG). Banks, a founding member of and keyboardist for legendary prog pioneers Genesis, presents his third orchestral/classical music album — five compositions he wrote himself and recorded with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra.

Darlingside: Extralife (More Doug). The Boston indie-folk/pop quartet blends a unique and at times regal mix of genres, including folk, pop, baroque, and indie rock. It is a bit inconsistent at times, but the overall vision is admirably all their own.