A collection of pulsing synths, bouncing beats and empowering vocals, X-Communicate may have seen Kristin Kontrol strip away her former image, but it’s left the singer’s sonic presence stronger than ever.

Their sound is by no means unique, and it’s not hard to detect some Metronomy and Jungle in there, but they’ve certainly raised their game to the point where they sit at the same table as their arguably more illustrious peers.

At 57 years old, a more than successful career in the music industry and an army of fans behind her, Mrs. Twain would well be within her right to hang up her boots, but she has certainly left us wanting more with ‘Queen Of Me’.

No Mind No Money is one of those records which has the potential to evoke mass sing-a-long’s but is versatile enough to still be enjoyed in less boisterous settings--all whilst radiating a captivating warmth and comfort which ultimately will keep you coming back for more.

While it might not possess the anodyne lyrics of generic chart mush, the similarities are disturbingly discernible. Thankfully, such moments are in the minority.

At the heart of ‘Wormslayer’ lies an undeniable truth – Kula Shaker’s creative fire has never burned brighter.

Their carefully crafted, layered arrangements, and surreal lyric create a bit of a wonderland feel which is more than welcome as the day slowly grows brighter.

While that album was littered with features, seeing artists put fresh spins on their classic material, this project is completely stripped down in comparison with the sole features being from Lil Tjay and Mansa respectively.

Atlas is full of seemingly effortless, ageless, guitar-driven songcraft.

It's so steeped in New York's musical cliche of disco and glammed-up dance that it struggles to take flight under its own power.

By cementing his role as musical heir to the mantle of Serge Gainsbourg (if you ignore the fact that Charlotte Gainsbourg herself is a pretty worthy heir), as well as perhaps the only musical peer of Sleaford Mods, Baxter might just have succeeded in further escaping Ian Dury's long, dark shadow.

All of this seems like a nod to the work ethic of their DIY roots, but they often transcend this, knowing they could go on to greater things.

A stirring accomplishment.

A record that alternates between the playful and the emotive, ‘My Boy’ thrives on the songwriter’s restless creativity, while never truly settling into one sphere.

The songs have been reinterpreted and elevated by Khruangbin’s sonic retexturising and takes the listener through a technicoloured journey of Ali’s most-loved classics and B-sides from his extensive catalogue.

An attempt to sidestep presumptions and carve out new space, ‘Transparency’ could be the most unexpected move of Twin Atlantic’s career.

In classic Alex Cameron form, ‘Oxy Music’ is full of true lyrical artistry in the most to-the-point way possible.

Century Plaza sees all the greats of the synth-pop and original electro shown respect, if a little too closely at times--but damn, it’s some somber fun.

Stella Donnelly has an unwavering ability to execute a subtly empowering and relevant record with derisive humour and mischievous wit.

Existing in a different realm to ‘Chromatica’, it’s testament to Lady Gaga’s astonishing breadth, and the timeless effervescence of Tony Bennett.

They have plenty to make them stand out from the crowd. The legacy of Seattle grunge is alive and well and being extended in the hands of Strange Wilds.

While it’s not an unqualified success, ‘An Orchestrated Songbook’ is still an intriguing, at times fascinating exercise.

It is an album produced on it’s own terms, that should be considered on it’s own terms. Judged as such, 'Human Energy' is a successful document of an artist enjoying his life, his work and more generally his own company.

A fine balance has been struck--along with no little gold.

With minimal production and few moments of experimentation, the album is flawed and doesn’t add much to Zayn’s musicality, but it indicates that he’s achieved some sort of clarity on the direction he wants to take as a solo artist.

While ‘FLIGHT’ may not be for the faint-hearted, it is undeniable that El Khatib has set out what he wanted to do, and has done so in the style of a true professional.

It seems as if Novelist made the album he wanted to make, despite the external pressures, and gave us a project which is sonically, socio-politically and unapologetically grime.

Meiburg’s voice is a wonder throughout, wonderfully fragile on ‘Hidden Lakes’, tearing it up on ‘Corridors’. A wonderful album.