For folk, my favourite artist is Thea Gilmore. IMO she's not put out a bad album, and she's great live too (saw her on the wintertide tour, with Rob Clements (of Lindisfarne) supporting, plus appearances by sense of sound choir and Mark Radcliffe (R2 DJ). Tracks to look out for:
December in New York
When I'm gone (cover of Phil Ochs)
Old Soul
God Knows
Benzedrine
The Cracks
Red, White and Black
Emily Maguire is another good one, saw her in feb. Only have one album for now, but tracks to look for:
I'd rather be
Woke Up
Real World