Enhances Richmond Fontaine’s standing as one of their genre’s premier attractions.
A decent debut, but not up the standards of its makers’ Mancunian peers.
Junior Boys are up there with Hot Chip as modern masters of the electro-pop craft.
Disappointingly stale album from the Scots, but it could yet be their breakthrough.
A fully formed, multi-faceted sound that engages the listener from the first note.
A retrospective which reinforces Smith’s status as an intriguing but flawed artist.
Fans of Maxïmo Park will not be disappointed with frontman Smith’s solo debut.
New York quintet’s pair of EPs point towards a promising future.
The award-winning folk outfit isn’t afraid to try new things on album three.
The Sheffield newcomers show potential enough to hint at a bright future.
A deserved commercial breakthrough continues to elude this wonderful London band.
Intelligent dance music that is as entertaining as it is enterprising.
Fans will not be disappointed by this ambitious and impeccably produced music.
One of Britain’s most unheralded but genuine musical treasures.
A hook-packed, skilfully produced guilty pleasure of a record.
They have the potential to be a genuine mainstream rock act.
Establishes Yorkston as a master of his craft unwilling to leave his comfort zone.
A sweet, beguiling piece of work that is utterly of its time.
Longstreth brings all his dauntingly cerebral compositional versatility to bear.
A true original, steeped in the troubadour’s art and with many engaging tales to tell.
A serious contender as the US alternative album of the year.
Always listenable, but eminently forgettable.
Evidence that the Mercury Prize was no fluke.
Find of chill out may find this the kind of soporific fix they are looking for.
Parov Stelar as one of the most promising producers active in Europe today.
Muskat and Kaplan return to milk their newfound cash cow by releasing Nu-Made, a...
Much more than just an earnest hillbilly twanger, Ringenberg is a songwriter of...
Lovers of the genre in its purest form will lap up Lark Rise Revisited.
It begs the simple but unavoidable question – surely quite literally everyone on the...
An impressive return to form from a group who continue to craft their own distinctive...
Talking books are infinitely more attractive than succumbing to this listless lift music.
They should be applauded for proving they can still deliver an album that's so much fun.
Polwart is a much more interesting and accessible artist when writing about the...
He may have retained his fierce integrity and insightful intelligence, but perhaps...
One of the strangest records of the year so far, but also one of the best.
Counting Crows were never remotely this good again.
A thoughtful, warm and intelligent record throughout.
There's no reason for this particularly perky pensioner to call it a day and retire to...
Despite featuring catchy hooks aplenty, Good Thing Going is ultimately guilty of...
If he continues to produce albums with the fragile beauty of Trespasser, then the...
Acoustic just meanders by inoffensively until you realise it's finished.
Wonderfully fluent, sinuous and brimming with passion.
Samba Meu is just too polished and lacking in edge to make a real impact on the listener.
Daulne is guilty of overstretching herself at the expense of the unique qualities her...
Proof Evans is an accomplished entertainer with a back catalogue worthy of respect.
More than just a soundtrack for redneck truckers on their way down to the rodeo.
The commercially 'unlucky' Liverpudlians show us why we should have listened the first...
Brave but flawed attempt to update English folk's relevance for the 21st century...
A well intentioned and occasionally enjoyable but excruciatingly earnest record.
...fast-paced, joyously bubbling brooks of melody...
