Singer-songwriters have always held a special place in the music world – this month's selections comprise recent releases from four masters of the craft.

[Photo provided to China Daily]

Father John Misty

Pure Comedy

He's written for Lady Gaga and Beyoncé, but here, Father John Misty (aka Josh Tillman) shows more than a passing similarity to the early balladeering of Elton John in this strong collection of moody, introspective songs.

[Photo provided to China Daily]

Shawn Mendes

Illuminate

The Canadian teenager struck gold with this collection of self-penned, soulful tunes. He brings his Illuminate World Tour to Hong Kong's AsiaWorld-Expo on December 13.

[Photo provided to China Daily]

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Lovely Creatures: The Best of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Few artists have produced such consistently powerful, provocative material; this retrospective is "designed to be a way into three decades of music-making", says the Australian musician and composer.

[Photo provided to China Daily]

Aldous Harding

Party

She calls her music "gothic folk", and this second album from the New Zealand singer-songwriter has a stark intensity that proves quite entrancing.