A record that refuses to compromise, ‘BLUE LIPS’ presents ScHoolboy Q in unfiltered form. A creative accelerator, its commitment to the individual voice makes this the LA rapper’s definitive statement.

Wonderfully engaging from the first line of opener ‘Our Girl’, this cracking debut mirrors the nuanced nature of modern life with equal parts noise and softness.

'Algiers' is a Calexico album unlike any other. More forceful, immediate and polished, whilst still possessing the bewitching musical interplays of old.

Although not necessarily pushing boundaries lyrically, Octavian’s appeal lies in the whole package rather than a complex narrative. The raspy flows and melodic groans are at home over the ethereal, bass heavy instrumentals, giving each track a consistent vibe that absorbs multiple elements into a gripping end product.

Works of art like these elevate us beyond the material world, if only for an afternoon, and for that Holter remains worth her weight in gold.

It’s a follow-up that interlocks with the debut perfectly, building on its foundation both lavish and coy, doing pop music that’s both bang on target and way too wise for the charts. A dot of light in the darkness that will dazzle you should you look too long.

On ‘Sunburn’, the American songwriter sounds the most comfortable he ever has, and as a result this sophomore record carves out his own space in the music world.

Reaching greater and greater heights, ‘Magic 3’ could well be Nas and Hit-Boy’s finest hour together – the closure of this chapter allows us to analysis their relationship, but you’re still left yearning for more.

The sonics are strange and hard to recreate: they are forward thinking but in some ways ageless, a natural fit for Tirzah’s magnetic voice.

Despite the density of the music, Obsidian is a wholly immersive experience, setting Baths back on course.

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

‘What To Look For In Summer’ is an enchanting compendium of the bands live work and is an ideal accompaniment to spirit you away to those carefree summer days of enjoying live music.

It may be a lighthearted exercise in updating old pop bangers to suit a new style, Lovato’s career-spanning retelling is also an unexpectedly touching retrospective by the time it gets to the explosive rendition of ‘Don’t Forget’ that serve as a joyful end-credits.

There is a maturity to this album, however it is still uplifting and fun, to an extent. However, maturity can only take a band so far so we are hesitant to give them credit simply for ageing (and learning while doing so, of course). What we will say is that the brilliance of ‘Rushmere’ comes from the Mumford & Son’s sheer talent and hard work.

While the singles may be his most commercially appealing to date, he never once loses integrity or his aural signature as an artist.

In no way throwaway, this is a trip.

Simply a superb collection of beautifully captured moments and suggests that Mystery Jets are going to be making great music for a very long time.

Turn Blue is pure searing sexiness, hotter than a Nashville afternoon. Their best yet.

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

A searing, soul-searching jewel.

An thrilling new chapter for old fans and an engaging entry point for new ones. Just don’t make us wait another four years next time.

The result is an album which moves on from ‘Hex Dealer’ but still provides the exhilarating, electrifying, and quite frankly, mindblowing songs the New York-based quartet are so loved for.

It’s messy and weird and colourful and completely unhinged, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not beautiful, in its own singular and undeniably innovative manner.

‘Assembly’ is so much more than a generic ‘best of’, it is a celebration of Joe’s musical genius.

With Love Keeps Kicking Martha have delivered 11 brilliant sketches on modern life and all the bullshit that comes with it. Sure, some days are hard, but there's still plenty to celebrate. Like an old mate lending a sympathetic ear, it's a record that helps remind you we're all in this together.

It is so easy to reach in blindly and pull out a well-produced track with a decent guest appearance and Smoke at his lyrical best. However, the album doesn’t stray too far from the genre, it isn’t by any means innovative.

The production is crisp and varied; Roots' warm vocal typically hits with soul without being too forcefully firebrand and constant changes in style and tempo gives 4Everevolution the energy to see it through.

Across its 14 tracks, the record is an honest and striking body of work.