Although not his greatest work to date, Oxnard confirms Anderson Paak at the upper echelons of the hip-hop scene.

‘HEROES & VILLAINS’ bursts with ideas, not all of which land. A record that revels in contradictions, it grasps towards the light while framing itself in darkness.

This set is teeming with energy despite its down moments, and demands to be played again in its entirety as soon as it ends.

Undeniably beautiful. Aloof, abstract and elegant, it melds ambient expanse with pop form to idyllic, if unassuming effect.

The euphoric, floating '60s guitar sheen and carefree swagger which dominates proceedings is utterly uplifting.

A fine sound indeed, but one that could have been better with a shade more variety injected into proceedings.

Packing a brassy punch, the tracks still manage to twinkle elegantly, rich in harmony with hymnal touches.

Within the iron grip, the looseness of categorisation between dubstep, grime, trap and mutant techno means each mission has something riding on it, transferring an aftershock of grim satisfaction throughout.

‘The Competition’ gets a hell of a lot right, and you get the feeling for album five it might finally all together perfectly.

Hot Pink is an album that knows exactly what it is, and it’s the work of a well-crafted hip pop star with something to prove.

If you’re in the right mood, it’s a fun slice of cosmic silliness that absolutely deserves to be packed away in your coolbox and brought out, nicely chilled, in approximately five months’ time. However, if your vibe is even slightly off then it can quickly become annoying in that subtle way that’s hard to register at first, but soon makes itself felt.

This is a cinematic body of work that triumphs in its ability to meld a plethora of electronic styles together with the glue-like emotional intent of sentimental reminiscence, and poignantly reminds the listener to hold dear their loved ones.

While it aims to push boundaries, CLPPNG does so in a way that demonstrates a love for the music and culture that forms its source material.

The results are mixed.

‘Doggerel’ isn’t a bad record, it’s just missing the audacious grit that is so entwined with the bizarre charm that makes the PIXIES so remarkable.

‘Dopamine’ isn’t a raw confessional either but a balanced, art-directed exercise. It’s a debut that hits the programmed sweet spot, conversant with contemporary trends and greater RnB and soul traditions.

An album that’s both heartfelt and sincere and utterly irresistible in the process.

Call this a mismatch, a contradiction, if you want, but only he can fully acknowledge this seriousness, this complexity. And if this is a ‘coming-to-terms-with’-type record, it does suggest he is starting that process, even if--musically--the progression remains somewhat tender.

We Will Not Harm You operates much like a London Sunday market in its vibrant, assorted survey of the electronic melting pot

It will inspire obsessive fandom and moisten a few eyes, but Henson’s voice is something of an acquired taste.

There’s nothing that lifts it from being middle of the road Einaudi. Then again, standing on a cliff listening to middle of the road Einaudi is never a bad place to be.

If ‘WASTELAND’ doesn’t quite match the hype then perhaps that’s due to the impact Brent Faiayz has had across his catalogue. An artist who commands cross-genre respect, his particular brand of R&B has been much-imitated, but never truly bettered.

Scrappy but charming, Times New Viking's fifth album shows their dirty sound scrubs up nicely.

At times the effects are superb.... However, there are wobbles with the quality control.

Nothing about this record feels forced but instead encapsulates Kesha’s outlook on the crazy and weird rollercoaster that is life itself.

B-Room is offensively inoffensive.

Psychedelic rock in its original form, the album is unlikely to win the duo many new fans, but as a testament to enjoying life, it’s unrivalled.

Although just seven songs long, the third album from San Francisco psychedelic rockers Wooden Shjips is a remarkably dense, intense affair.