It’s enlivening, inspiring, frustrating and maddening in equal measure--and you always wonder what’s coming next.

ZAYN is a pop icon who sought retreat, and this record finds the UK-born singer finally re-engaging with the concept of being a main character once more. Yet it’s also highly subtle – the understated songwriting, the hushed, after-hours sonics give him space to lose himself.

What works on Woman truly does with aplomb, but it arguably stands as the group’s least unique effort, and with some of that old punk snarl now removed perhaps they’ve lost some of that addictive danger.

They’ve managed to meld together the grand themes of ‘The Soft Bulletin’ and ‘Yoshimi…’ with some of the experimentation of ‘Embryonic’ and ‘The Terror’, and it makes for a fascinating return.

Marr’s vocals are indistinctive, although his song-writing abilities are clear. What does stand out is how fine a guitarist he has become.

Cry is pure from beginning to end and is a pleasant second instalment from the Texas three-piece.

For all its lack of idiosyncrasies, however, there’s a credibly unashamed attitude to creating perfectly fine pop songs.

What could so nearly have been overbearing or desperate to be loved is, in actual fact, sincerely captivating and euphorically playful.

At best a fiery evocation of the electronic elements that team thrive on, ‘Paradise Again’ isn’t hell-on-Earth, but it doesn’t leave you enraptured.

Vital, assured and moving, ‘I Beat Loneliness’ is full of magnetism and has an indomitable spirit that is full of fire that refuses to burn out, its intensity smoldering through every note and riff, relentless and alive with raw energy.

‘Yungblud’ has some of Harrison’s best tracks to date, but, as a whole, it’s not refined enough to be his magnum opus.

Deeply cohesive, conceptual and considered. Controlled while still being unexpected. Comforting within confines, placing a new level of distance and boundaries between her personal life and her fans as she focusses on feelings over stories.

Collaboration with Rancid’s Tim Armstrong, huh? Sounds right up plenty of people’s streets. But that “sweet spot” (in the main) seems to boil down to some cheesy scratching in amongst the ska pop (see ‘My Name Is Rat Boy’) and Jamie T-style vocals. But all is not lost. The keys of ‘Follow Your Heart’ are dreamy and unexpected.

This is power pop at its purest--not doing anything new, granted, but packed full of melodies so thrilling and uplifting that it’s difficult to even begin to give a damn.

It all feels a little weary and, whilst there's clear commitment and execution, the material suddenly sounds oh so dated.

Warm On A Cold Night is essentially a pick-up line delivered in Andy’s charmingly unfinished croak, wrapped in sensual synths and slick basslines.

Bold, immersive, and not easy to pin down, Interview Music affords Idlewild the space to find renewal in new ideas, a record driven by conviction, collaboration and the urge towards communication.

Ultimately, the songwriting isn't quite weighty enough to sustain a full album. Worth a check if you're a previous fan.

Glow is that rarest of beasts: a dance album that is equally as good on the dancefloor as it is at home.

While human suffering or pain isn’t joyous, the special craft of nothing,nowhere. most certainly is, and ‘Trauma Factory’ is a splendid occasion for celebration.

It’d be interesting to hear what this band comes up with if they stepped away from a doomy signature sound, but right now this is an assured album and a satisfying follow-up.

The heavier, dirtier mood suits these Pirates--the spirit of 1979 burns bright.

Despite A New Nature’s ominous sound feeling hackneyed at times, EATW retain the fearless, forward-thinking ethic of their first two records through themes of finding strength in adversity, impassioned vocals and unpredictable sonic outbursts.

The joy is in the ambiguity and Braxton's exemplary manipulation of sound and space.

A great feel-good record for the summer months, this one is the perfect soundtrack for the car, park or beach. Just enjoy it.

Like a self-fulfilling prophecy, ‘Moral Panic’ perfectly shape-shifts into its new context in the midst of the current climate. The band achieve another phenomenal album which might have benefited from one or two fewer songs - but nevertheless demonstrates their dramatic range of capabilities with a spattering of radio hits.

There’s a lingering feeling, though, that 2 Chainz hasn’t quite distilled exactly what to do with the opportunities being presented to him.

Effervescent, exuberant, wry, but always appealing, ‘Run Rose Run’ displays Dolly’s evergreen storytelling prowess and is a vibrant and compelling body of work.