Highlights include the cool Old Men, beer-soaked Dance With Your Spurs On and 90 Seconds Of Your Time, a dark, true-life tale that sounds both intense and insouciant. [Sep 2020, p.87]

The Waterfall II comes fitted with escape hatches and launch pads. ... Those in search for a 2020 anthem, meanwhile, could do worse than the gorgeous calendar-collapse of Spinning My Wheels. [Sep 2020, p.86]

Standout track by far is La Chiqui where trans artist Sophie and Arca go head to head, like two tall, sonic waveforms. Extraordinary. [Sep 2020, p.83]

Khruangbin haven't forgotten the global jukebox that got them this far: Turkish psychedelia, flamenco palmas, the shimmering heat of Houston, dub ... The ice has definitely melted. [Sep 2020, p.82]

Their most piercing and autobiographical yet. [Sep 2020, p.82]

Crain has always been good, but on A Small Death she's genuinely great. [Aug 2020, p.92]

Although the listener doesn't expect dynamics in this kind of music, there is little variation in either its colour and timbre. [Aug 2020, p.89]

Gleeful scattershot collision between genres and theatrical drama, explored through such epistles as DIE! DIE! DIE!, barked by Pixies' Black Francis. [Aug 2020, p.92]

The uniting factor, though, is Gabriel's greatest gift as a writer, vocalist and arranger. [Aug 2020, p.101]

Minimalist of palette it may be, but Laraaji's characteristic approach to melody, harmony and rhythm, at once both charmingly childlike and spiritually ecstatic, is present throughout. [Aug 2020, p.87]

An attractive ad hoc vibe pervades these seven longish songs, partially recorded live: a DIY futurism, all tinfoil and stick-backed plastic, that harks back to Pulp's early '90s. [Jun 2020, p.92]

Few Pretenders albums have honoured the classic line-up's template so faithfully or successfully as Hate For Sale. [Aug 2020, p.86]

The more elemental moments - Sour Flower's mournful rustle of handclaps, cymbals and Fender Rhodes, or the intimate, guitar-led Green Papaya and Can't fight - are understated, introspective and more powerful. [Aug 2020, p.84]

This is fresh, contemporary American music and Dion's throat is still golden despite the mileage. [Aug 2020, p.91

While the lilting melodies suggest south-east Asia - as do, explicitly, a couple of spoken word passages - a wandering, spidery guitar generates an off-balance flavour. [Jul 2020, p.81]

Laidback, dreamy third album. [Jul 2020, p.84]

A band effort. And it shows in the diversity and quality of the songs. ... A fine album. [Aug 2020, p.93]

If midlife crisis haunts the 40-year-old Skinner, encroaching mortality is re-energised by juniors like neo-soul sister Greentea Peng's soporific vibrations on I Wish You Loved You As Much As You Love Him. [Aug 2020, p.93]

The best moments involve stranger juddering textures, as on Flowers or Wishing Well. Beauty is always better with an edge. [Aug 2020, p.87]

It is a relief to see Wainwright honouring his formidable songwriting talents with songs as luscious as those on Poses or Want One. [Jun 2020, p.94]

No wheels were reinvented in the making of this record, but it travels straight to the heart nevertheless. [Aug 2020, p.92]

A-grade pop songwriting. [Aug 2020, p.94]

Relatability charms never harmed Dolly Parton, and that's who you think of as these gargantuan melodies shimmer and soar. [Jun 2020, p.88]

Joyful and full of subtle vigour, it's the perfect headphone-heard walking companion when you don't want lyrics crowding your thoughts. [Jul 2020, p.85]

Galvanising, jazzy embrace of call-and-response tradition. [Aug 2020, p.94]

The Hull five-piece treads the queasy tightrope of prime Cure, Ride etc with real dexterity. [Aug 2020, p.94]

This may not be the '70s cosmic cowboy of Nelson in his prime, but wise old grandpa Willie is as sage and poignant now as he has ever been. [Aug 2020, p.85]

A remarkable accomplishment, confirming that Williams has already built a world all of her own. [Aug 2020, p.84]