UNIVERSITY have given us themselves on their debut album, and we thank them for the glorious noise, chaos, mayhem and moments of calm which takes us to another world completely.

‘OSMIUM’ isn’t a fun listen at times: it is filled with harrowing textures and tones, and sounds like a score to a very unpleasant film in places, but it is also enjoyable, in its own perverse way.

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

From the cathartic harmonies of ‘Julia’s War’ to the raw romance of ‘Candle’, there is a gritty optimism charging through the album, hitting you right in the gut and demanding you pull back the veil on past dread and expose a new outlook of forward-thinking hopefulness.

This is one of modern rock’s very best kept secrets at their peak, a band on the brink of sold-out stadiums.

‘The Universe Will Take Care of You’ is a delightful album – the melodies are strong, the tones are great and the overall feeling of togetherness and optimism carries on after the album finishes.

With only one relatively short album used as a basis for the comp, there’s some repetition over the course of the deluxe edition’s tracklist. It’s a relatively small squabble, though, an unavoidable conceptual one. ‘Mixes Of A Lost World’, for the most part, is a varied, refreshing listen.

His ambiguous and damning lament on modern England – as ever, left beautifully to our imagination.

The Amazons have taken all the best elements of their previous records to create the album it feels they’ve always been striving towards. A whirlwind of polished, widescreen anthems, it’s a full throttle rollercoaster that you’ll want to ride again and again.

As a whole, ‘Sogolo’ stands as a less cohesive package than 2023’s ‘Zango’, but it’s a braver, more energetic, and forward-thinking LP.

‘Echo’ is built around band instrumentation – spanning orchestral Brit rock, jangly pop-punk, wistful country, and alternative ballads – all woven into a cohesive whole.

It doesn’t reach the heights of ‘III’ but probably crests ‘V’. His best work in a decade? A living legend re-asserts his worth, as if any reminder were needed.

For best results listen, not hear it, on headphones. The way the backing tracks float in your head is just bliss.

Succinct – a smidge under 30 minutes, all told – ‘I’ll Be Waving As You Drive Away’ manages to be extremely impactful.

‘Lotus’ is a developmental album that excels in a complexity of genres. It showcases Little Simz’s personal resilience as she takes on this vulnerable melodic journey to selflessly blossom in her introversion.

There’s a feeling that ‘Something Beautiful’ is searching for a unity that doesn’t quite coalesce, all while lacking some of the towering peaks of Miley’s more commercially-focussed work. A fascinating one-off, potentially; ‘Something Beautiful’ adds another layer to Miley Cyrus’ story.

For the most part, ‘Addison’ is a fun, delicious ride, soundtracking a movie where a small-town girl wins the lottery and parties it up in New York City.

That it’s been executed so flawlessly is testament to the musicians involved; acting both as fuel for this summer’s arena shows and an artistic work in its own right, ‘More’ perfectly meets the brief of what a Pulp record should sound like in 2015.

A collage of trip-hop, screeching guitars, and anguished vocals, ‘Evangelic Girl Is A Gun’ is a truly complete project, a series of vivid portraits well worthy of their own gallery.

A wonderful, and truly enchanting experience, ‘In Limerence’ will no doubt rank of one of 2025’s most special achievements.

A potent third record that retains a pop heart whilst wandering off into compelling new terrain. Her exploratory take on pop is gorgeous, redemptive, and full of life.

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

Flitting between the glamorous and raw, the album thrives on contradiction, delighting in camp spectacle and coarse truths. Dancing amidst this ambiguity, Smerz’s allure, vulnerability, and dry humour makes this darkly dazzling record a potent reflection of cosmopolitan womanhood.

Pop classicists with a heart of gold, Sparks are busy out-pacing the copyists, and reminding us all exactly why they remain so beloved.

‘7 Piano Sketches’ feels slight – a bookmark, rather than a tome.

Closer ‘SMILE’ drops the noise, and embraces beauty; the lilting guitars are pinned down by a dulcet vocal, with Rico’s tender singing voice resonates with beauty. Leaving fans on a softer note, she shows true bravery, and no small degree of self-acceptance.

Foregrounding mental health, love, and the transformative experiences of the rail replacement bus, ‘Hers’ is a beautiful glimpse of his creative essence.

Confessional yet cathartic, ‘Metalhorse’ is an emotionally resonant piece of work that is vital, vivid and showcases why Billy NoMates is an undisputed ‘Tor’ de force.