Two of the British blues rock scene’s true trailblazers are chasing a spot inside the UK’s Top 20 this month. But what do Elles Bailey and Kris Barras bring to the blues party?

Elles Bailey’s blues in five words: Soulful, sassy, smart, focused and feisty.

Kris Barras’s blues in five words: Raw, robust, rebellious, cocksure and combative.

Verdict on Bailey’s Shining In The Half Light: Career-best set of affecting, countryfied, blues rock brilliance.

Verdict on Barras’s Death Valley Paradise: Heaviest set yet from reborn blues rocker.

The best of brand new Bailey: Sunshine City — shining a light on Britain’s blues queen.

The best of brand new Barras: My Parade — arena-ready anthem dripping with defiance.

Bailey’s take on Shining In The Half Light: “It’s a record inspired by those who spread love in a time of heartbreak, happiness in a time of fear and connection in a time of loneliness.”

Barras’s take on Death Valley Paradise: “For me, it sums up the journey I’ve been through. As a musician, you were put into a place where it was hard to survive, and you had to do different things to keep it moving.”

Bailey’s back catalogue classic: What If I (from 2017’s Wildfire)

Barras’s back catalogue classic: Lovers Or Losers (from 2018’s The Divine And Dirty)

Where now for Bailey: The Shining In The Half Light album launch party takes place in London on March 8 before a series of summer festival shows.

Where now for Barras: 15-date UK headline tour kicks off in Exeter on March 8.

Shining In The Half Light is available now via Outlaw Music

Death Valley Paradise is out on March 4 via Mascot