Ritual Union is the rich vindication of Little Dragon's slow burning upturn.

The wonderful ‘Isn’t That Enough’ recalls Neil Young’s ‘Harvest’ – it’s followed, aptly, by ‘Heart Of Gold’ – and these songs carry within them a quietly pervasive sense of direction, as though the album itself became a means of continuation. There are moments of real melodic distinction, too.

The beautifully crafted fuzzy rock record has sonic concoctions that could have easily been taken from the best 90s and 2000s teen movies; not only does it serve its purpose of self-acceptance and healing, but it also further solidifies Laus’ place in the industry as a formidable, agenda-setting songwriter.

Clocking in at less than quarter of an hour, the ‘Perfect’ EP is another jukebox roll through the band’s quieter and louder moments, both of which are largely on target from start to finish.

Diviner is a brave album and Thorpe should be commended for it. It challenges what masculinity should be and that you don’t have to shout to get your message across.

A contemplative, decidedly indie collection that trades sonic innovation for stillness and emotional clarity.

Punchier, prettier, and more playfully perverse, ‘Moisturizer’ will undoubtedly help Wet Leg retain their place as one of Britain’s most unique bands. Expectations be damned.

He’s managed to transcend his previous efforts via the scaling up the sonics and simply maintaining the quality of this excellent record.

There’s a wonderful rawness to Porter’s vocals, confronting his troubles of the past with his blossoming musical pallet.

This is Dashboard Confessional in 2018: still as charming, still as cathartic and ultimately every bit the record you want it to be.

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.

Somewhere between the elongated delivery of Joanna Newsom and the peculiarly soulful croak of Karen Dalton, this is a clear case of the voice as an additional instrument.

The radical variation on this album speaks volumes--this casting respect to yesteryear twisted with the juices of his modern imagination--and if ‘The English Riviera’ was Mount at his most accessible, then Love Letters finds him at his most inventive.

ZUU is an experience that transports the listener to a specific time and place. ZUU is further proof that Denzel Curry is one of hip-hop's most interesting and progressive MCs.

Without a doubt, ‘Only The Strong Survive’ exemplifies Springsteen’s unfaltering commitment to top-notch musicianship and production.

Mura Masa’s nuance, confidence and obvious versatility betray his relative inexperience, and it’s increasingly clear that he is already a musical force to be reckoned with.

Elegant, understated, Chastity Belt is the sound of a band matured, and it’s all the better for it.

Family life and a well-earned break have given this one-time Gothfather new tricks that pure despair could never provide.

A work of dancefloor renewal, ‘Ambiguous Desire’ is explicit in its aims – to move your body, and move your soul.

Healey has delivered the ideal summer album, but it feels as much a gift to himself as his listeners.

Burna is at his best either holding it down for his lineage pushing traditional sounds forward or tracing African influence beyond its shores.

Zaba is blessed with musical facets that will blind you with their splendour.

The folk troubadour's sixth studio release has been presented as his "defining statement" and it's true, the Wessex boy has delivered something truly wonderful.

SBTRKT’s signature sound, which defies genre boundaries and pushes the boundaries of popular music, continues to shine on ‘The Rat Road’.

Art Angels is boundary pushing, it’s listenable and it’s Boucher’s most ambitious and most consistent work to date.

By considering themes such as love, social injustice and all round perseverance, it is both mature and engaging. The Big Moon are constantly breathing new life into a genre which sometimes runs stale. For that we should be eternally grateful.

More. Again. Forever shows a band who insist on exploring, learning and get closer to the truth about life and human existence, and there is just no way that this can ever, ever, be a bad thing.

The result is a truly thought-provoking, needfully important record.