‘2’ is a stronger album than their debut. It takes more risks; it’s catchier and feels like a body of work.

With ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’, the answer seems to be found in widening that scope and ambition in a way we’ve never seen before. The cinematic flourishes are cranked up and Simz is more confessional than ever, pondering what defines her as both Little Simz the artist and Simbi the person. It makes for addictive listening.

Here everything seems whole and fully realised, the sound of a fleshed out band sure in its own identity rather than the end result of a prolonged mixtape crush.

‘WET TENNIS’ is a refreshing collection of totally danceable pop bangers. It feels more ambitious than Sofi Tukker’s debut, resulting in a totally blissful listening experience; fine-tuned to get under your skin.

Open Here is a defiant and impassioned statement in which Field Music prove they have mastered the art of addressing the political and the personal simultaneously. It’s fun, it’s loud, it’s dense. It’s not content with wallowing in the state of things and wants to inspire positive change.

It’s a heady dose of spiritual funk that leans into the free expression of jazz. It’s an album that kicks hard from the off. .... Closing with the emphatic ‘Carry The Word’, you’re left feeling how defiantly modern, and devoutly unclassifiable Cymande’s music remains.

A strange, lovely and at times genuinely unnerving album that feels like a deep-dive into the subconscious of these hauntology pioneers.

All in, Unfurl seems a pretty apt name for the album. It’s many layers unfold and wrap themselves around you, like a warm blanket after an invigorating surf.

Loss, regret and shame are wound up in this album’s DNA, but they are balanced out by a generous dose of hope, a solemn promise that someone can go through the darkest of times and come out stronger, steadier and more complete than ever before.

An album is soulful consistency, ‘Sincerely,’ luxuriates in diamond-tinted sound.

Moss’ vocals and harmonisations with herself are a masterclass, supported by creative and tasteful production. Modular synthesis and glitchy-yet-organic drums are the engine of the record, the outcome being Moss’ best studio effort to date.

While he’ll probably never eclipse the flaming star that is label boss FlyLo’s reputation, Bruner here shows that he’s both his collaborator and peer, fusing a multi-genre musical mentality with a brilliantly sharp edge of accessibility.

With this album they’ve perfected their journey of the last decade of connecting with their musical past while pointing a way towards the future.

Its delicacy and sentimentality may strike a cheesy note on first listen, but Post-Tropical is a definite grower.

His use of simile and metaphor is questionable but with an irrepressible energy and guest vocal spots from Kelly Rowland (Invincible) and Ellie Goulding (Wonderman) on top of three top five hits, this Peckham born rapper might just have made the most fun pop album of the year.

A work of real refinement, ‘The Great White Sea Eagle’ is peppered with jewels.

The unconventional twists and turns of My Love Is Cool makes Wolf Alice one of the most exciting new bands around.

Across its 12 tracks, ‘Good Riddance’, is a deeply confessional offering, with decadent melodies and production that platform her distinctive vocal.

This sophomore release is a brave and stunning progression that now solidifies the statement that this group can grow past 2011 without going stale.

Despite being less hit-filled than previous works, ‘Piss In The Wind’ is potentially the most authentic Joji project to date, a scenic route through every facet of his sonic and auditory identity.

‘Cooler Returns’ displays a keen eye for observation – both grand and quaint – as its myriad of tracks cohere together through a bond of musical influences old and new to form an album that’s invitingly optimistic, while also displaying intricacy and craftiness in abundance.

‘Only You Left’ is another fine record from the Manchester-based trio. It is worth the four-year wait, showing their evolution as a group in that time, building on existing sounds and incorporating an array of different genres while still feeling familiar.

This new full-length suggests that while Nedry haven't quite found their way there yet, the journey should be fascinating.

Unpredictable it may be. Biffy Clyro it definitely is, and its uplifting and optimism hook the perfect catharsis for a year that’s been nothing short of terrible.

And The Anonymous Nobody is still an impressive new installment in what has been a largely-unblemished career run.

A welcome reminder that Lambchop are just as vital as they’ve ever been.

It’s one of their strongest of the 2020s and across their 25-year career.

‘Companion Rises’ is an easy listen and utterly gorgeous with it.