Assume I have been in a coma for the past 5 years...

[FreeButtonBee]

I mean, it's as good as. Had 3 children in 2.5 years. Baby is now 2 and I am slowly crawling out from under my rock. But books and music have been terribly neglected and I have been comfort listening to old stuff for forever

So top 3 albums from the past 5 years please. I have a bias for folky stuff. Not too fond of full hip hop/dance but rock and pop and punk and pretty much everything else are fair game. I just want to feel a bit more current and be blown away by something new.

I'm breaking the rules a bit here but try Hozier, James Bay, Lady Gaga (Joanne), Vance Joy, Passenger, George Ezra. Don't know the names of their albums offhand but most have only had one each!

Well surely Ed Sheeran hasn't passed you by - 2 albums in that time

X (Multiply) and Divide (haven't got a divide symbol on my keyboard.

Try Laura Marling if you like the folkier side of things.

Also retune your radio to 6 music.

Jake Bugg, don't just listen to his chart stuff, he has sung some beautiful folky songs too.

Kaleo - A/B, good old rock and roll. Fantastic.

First Aid Kit
Agnes Obel
Nick Mulvey

I too am coming out of a 5 year (at least) bubble. I like poppy stuff, as do the DC, so I am enjoying albums by Taylor Swift, Little Mix and Katy Perry. Also Ed Sheeran and Adele.

I second First Aid Kit

Yes to First Aid Kit! David Bowie's last album, Black Star is pretty amazing too.

Also, PJ Harvey's 'Hope Six Demolition Project'.

Mawkin are an amazing vibrant Folksy band - and I don't even like folk music!

For poppy stuff I can recommend: Carly Rae Jepsen - E.MO.TION, Tove Styrke - Kiddo and Tegan & Sara - Heartthrob.

Already all over first aid kit Laura marling and Agnes obel. Maybe I am not quite so out of it as I thought. Will investigate further. Not really an ed sheeran fan. The Galway girl song is sickening (as an Irish girl) a sorry!

George Ezra I do quite like but not enough to buy an album. Will persist.

Does Jo wyley still do her radio 2 show? Used to really like that?

carnation will definitely check out Nick Mulvey. Since your other two Recs are absolutely spot on!

I find Jack Savoretti very easy listening, and a new one appeared on my Spotify feed the other day - Charlie Cunningham that I like. I also really like The Shires. I have to push myself to listen to new music admittedly and have some ancient stuff lurking on Spotify .

I'll have to try some of these other recommendations - I rely on my trendy musician friends to tell me about things as I am very far from 'with it' these days and have absolutely no idea what to listen to. I do agree Radio 6 is quite good for finding new things.

Nick Mulvey is an acquaintance and a nice chap, try 'Take Me There' - such a lovely song, I had it on repeat for quite a while!

You could also have a look at Alcuna Wilds, and Anais Mitchell who is not new but whom I only just discovered. Her version of is just spine-chilling.

Never mind the music, I had 3 in 33 months, what are your top tips?

John Grant. the Queen of Denmark album is sublime.

If you like Laura Marling, suggest you give This is the Kit a listen. Her new album is lovely, but the previous one also very good.

And Eliza Carthy's last album is brilliant (although a different type of folk).

Haim - best band out there at the moment.