the AU review recently sat down with Melbourne’s Demi Louise before her first SXSW performance. The Pop/Folk artist described her SXSW experience, “There are like a million people as opposed to hundreds…it’s a world wide gathering…this is just world recognized. And you don’t sleep, at all” and told us which fellow SXSW artists she was sure to catch, including James Bay and James Vincent McMorrow: “I went to see James Vincent McMorrow. I melted. He was literally a metre away and it was amazing.”

It's that time of the year where everyone takes a look through their new record collections and if you're like us, you're wondering just how it's possible so much good music has been released in 2014 already! We asked our contributors to give us their favourite albums of 2014 as of this halfway point and as the results show, there's definitely some musical gold in the ranks. Take a look at the first installment of the AU's 'Top 14 of 2014' below!

Irishman James Vincent McMorrow recently wowed Australian audiences with a national theatre tour, including two nights at the Sydney Opera House. This second single. "Gold", from his second album Post Tropical is just as dreamy as previous seven-inch "Cavalier", and will likely continue to make fans of the soulful singer-songwriter swoon from Dublin to Down Under and everywhere in between.

When James Vincent McMorrow takes to the stage, it’s as though someone has pressed play on a CD player. His voice soars over high notes with a peaceful ease, which is breathtaking to witness firsthand. Often compared to Bon Iver, McMorrow is in fact in a league of his own.

Perri Cassie heads along to James Vincent McMorrow at The Forum in Melbourne and brings us back these photos of the Irish troubadour and his support act, Airling. Enjoy!

It was only a few months ago that we were last graced by the exquisite presence of Irish singer/songwriter James Vincent McMorrow, for Falls Festival and a run of shows around the country. It was the same week that his latest, acclaimed record Post Tropical was released, meaning fans didn't have much time to sink their teeth into his new material. Returning for VIVID festival and a few shows around Australia this week, the four months it's been since the album was released - and his last visit - should mean we're in store for some shows that will give the new record justice.

In this issue: Future Islands sideshows sell out, Hands Like Houses announce Adelaide venue change, Dune Rats announce national supports, Carcass announce support acts, Joelistics announce Brisbane venue change, Airling announced as support act for James Vincent McMorrow, New War announced as Liars Melbourne support, Things Of Stone & Wood sell out Melbourne show, add another, Gareth Emery Melbourne and Sydney shows sell out!

Irish singer-songwriter James Vincent McMorrow is coming back to Australia this May. The tour comes after he was announced as part of the Vivid LIVE second line up this morning.

The Sydney Opera House has dropped the second list of artists joining the Vivid LIVE line up, with the queen of hip-hop Lauryn Hill, New York songstress St Vincent and Irish singer-songwriter James Vincent McMorrow leading the announcement.

Sometimes on very rare occasions an artist is so mesmerising and captivating, that all you can hear is their performance and nothing else. It’s not often that I get to be a part of shows like that, but tonight was one of those nights.

James Vincent McMorrow brings his signature ethereal sounds to a sold out Metro Theatre, and brings Gossling along for the ride. Evelyn Tjia brings us photos from the night.

James Vincent Mcmorrow has released a new video "Red Dust"! The single, comes from his latest album Post Tropical released earlier this week. James is back in Australia for the Falls Festival, Southbound as well as headline dates in Melbourne and Sydney, supported by Gossling which we understand are close to selling out!

The final day’s bill was ostensibly much more low key than its predecessor, yet there were plenty of acts - both well known and not - vying for our eyes and ears. Triple J Unearthed alumni Oliver Tank got through the main stage nerves to play his familiar set to the early birds, while former Unearthed High winner Asta continued to thank the crowd for making her dreams come true. She performed with the charisma of a much more experienced artist, but until her songwriting improves, she simply won’t make a genuine connection with her audience - who in this case were largely unmoved.

The last day of 2013 arrives and the Falls Festival crowd are in great spirits. The Falls Fiesta parade winds its way through the crowd at sunset. The Rubens, Violent Femmes, The Cat Empire all keep the energy levels up. On the main stage Vampire Weekend count in the new year, while Horrorshow and Willow Beats do the same in the Grand Theatre. Our photographer John Goodridge captures some of the excitement.

Dublin singer-songwriter James Vincent McMorrow has finally released Post Tropical, the long awaited follow-up to his debut record Early In The Morning - in fact it's out today here in Australia! I’ll admit that I approached this album with a fair degree of anticipation; Early In The Morning remains one of my favourite and oft recommended albums. So was it worth the wait? Yes, yes it was.