The album does lose momentum towards the end but hey, here we have a relatively new band experimenting with the boundaries of their proposed genre, with generally impressive results.

A cornucopia of ideas and influences, here, Andrew Bird has created a veritable treasure trove of a record, where to equal the bare sum of its parts is a momentous achievement.

Far from dumbed down and more importantly, rap with a much-needed happy-go-lucky makeover.

Parastrophics is mischievous and atomised techno pop for listeners who think they've heard it all.

Unfortunately, the resultant package is very cleverly constructed and yet maddeningly dull.

A hodgepodge LP bound skillfully by the starry-eyed aestheticism he's become so fond of lately.

This album is a rich Norwegian delight.

An album that could be the soundtrack to the most fucked-up cowboy movie yet to be made.

This is her strongest set of songs since 2000's 'Faith And Courage'.

Therapy? have always exuded a commercial undercurrent and it's that ingredient that makes them compelling - equally now as then.

It's a win for the bedroom door-locking crew.

At times brilliantly cold and clinical, it feels like an album created for a man-made future but with Lovett's soulful croon adding the humanity, you'll feel every heartbeat.

Melodic, melancholic, at moments almost celestial, it's simply stunning work.

They could do with a couple more uptempo nuggets like 'The Kids Were Wrong'.

As You As You Were already feels like a festival anthem in waiting. Stunningly good music.

Always interesting, and with a deft use of traditional instrumentation alongside studio trickery, Fanfarlo have created another nugget of joy.

This marvellous studio-recorded successor [to his debut album] is more expansive but no less affecting.

So many of the risks taken are either unevocative or plain annoying, particularly when the tracks are structured with so little sense of development.

Listened to while watching Georges Méliès suitably trippy sci-fi spectacle, it makes for a brief, but enchanting, experience.

It's got a sweet, easy intimacy.

Armed with rich, booming backdrops, live analogue beats and rising string flourishes, she works the ever-awkward business of injecting nods to the sensitive and self-referential expertly, her words coming across more contemplative than indulgently pious... A solid return.

Smart, soulful pop.

A sorrowful, yet captivating collection of songs, ensuring that Ms. Mitchell continues to snap at the heels of PJ Harvey in the female singer songwriter stakes.

Lee ... continues his proclivity for sonic innovation with a plethora of funky grooves and drum lines - with no loops in earshot. AM's psychedelic guitar licks, basslines and vocals underpin an overriding '60s vibe.

Take it as deep dance for when there aren't enough hours in the day.

Mightily impressive.

An exhilarating and ambitious collection, it should bring Field Music a deservedly larger audience at last.

This is a confident, bold and captivating record, and one which is dominated by that beguilingly ragged voice.