Element, and devoutly ambitious, it’s a record to be absorbed at its own pace.

A dance party to release your demons to, they cast yet another lyrically beautiful and musically capitulating spell.

Any Human Friend is powerful, sexy, and self-assured - pretty much exactly what we expected from Marika, but even better.

While Loop The Loop isn’t a retro record, neither is it futuristic; it’s not a singer-songwriter album, nor is it an electronic beats record. One thing it does qualify as though, is a hugely enjoyable debut album.

Starmaker is a joy from start to finish. Together, each song on this debut album supports Honey Harper’s ambition to bring his cosmic country into a wider setting and he does it with currency and aesthetics.

Self-consciously designed to echo a transformative lysergic experience, ‘Yellow’ comes to embody everything Emma-Jean Thackray strives towards, and describes: you emerge in a quite different space than the one you entered in, the world around you subtly transfigured.

‘Live Laugh Live’ is a rap Escher diagram, a Greek maze with MC as Minotaur; it extends Earl’s world, and invites you forward with every step.

While ‘Dim Probs’, on initial listens, may not appear the most substantial addition to Rhys’ work, it is nevertheless a relaxed (and relaxing) thing of warm humanity and beauty that, in the long run, may be more durable than much of his more lavish and accessible outputs.

It’s a project that requires time to sit and grow with its listener, carving a new path after each and every run.

Subversive, non-conformist and melodious, this record has the credentials of a classic rock and roll album. The decision to take a radical approach only works for the few, the possession of ammunition that’s needed to master such a challenge is not for anyone. Fontaines D.C. have it.

On her third album, the view has swung from microcosm to breathtaking panorama.

If this is Spiritualized’s last – and Pierce hasn’t fully rowed-back on that threat, given his lucubrations drove him “crazy”--it’s a very satisfying denouement. If not, it’s still a stellar addition to the Spiritualized® catalogue, matching the vitality of ‘Songs in A&E’ or the richness of ‘that famous one from 1997’, even if it doesn’t say anything especially new.

Arab Strap are back with a vengeance. And it’s fucking glorious.

This record comes on like the voice of a friend, confessional and familiar-- full of small, important reassurances.

The lack of pristine sound quality also gives the songs something they might have otherwise lost. They, and Neil Young himself, sound more vulnerable. I’ve never heard ‘Ambulance Blues’ sound so urgent. Which, considering some of the other songs, is very impressive.

‘Below A Massive Dark Land’ reinforces the gravitas of her songwriting. A beautiful record dominated by fading light and ominous shadows, it could well be your perfect Autumn soundtrack.

It goes in constantly engaging directions and challenges what we expect from her as an artist and writer. It should please long-term fans and offer a fine jumping-on point for those who’ve not explored her work before.

It’s a collection that proves Moby’s a gifted, mature songwriter.

Ryley Walker’s approach strips back well-worn truths, to reveal something startling underneath.

Previously it felt like as though these two sides have been difficult to reconcile on record; the abrasive would often be at odds with the tranquil, particularly on last studio album ‘Cherry Bomb’. On Flower Boy, though, Tyler has perfected his marriage of the two.

An awesomely designed underground rising.

There is never any doubt in her authorial voice and ability to commandingly tell her own story, with all the tragedies and triumphs contained therein.

This is a career high from an artist about to reach his creative zenith.

Tense, manic strings chop away at the languid celebration, presaging a gathering storm of noise that reaches its peak only to be plunged abruptly into silence. No neat resolutions here, folks. Onwards.

A synth heavy, angst ridden, paranoia-fuelled musical monolith filled with catchy hooks, heavy drums and nods of the cap towards Dubstep.

A rich, fascinating, and perplexing album, The Curious Hand continually deals out new and unexpected elements, stretching Seamus’ until it breaks into the spirit of fanciful experimentation.

Eton Alive captures the self-proclaimed “Best Band in the World” as wide-awake as ever, dolloping fun all over their music like it’s Daddies Brown Sauce.

Breathless and perplexed with ears ringing, the live trip of ‘Rare, Forever’ will be a must witness.