Editors' fourth retains their customary grandeur and gloom, but with a new immediacy and surety, as Tom Smith matures into a truly commanding frontman. [Aug 2013, p.86]

With her soaring, passionate voice the wail of a spectre, she's the incubus Kate Bush. [Aug 2013, p.88]

It gets on the dancefloor to create some bona fide hits of its own. [Aug 2013, p.89]

Their refusal to accept stylistic boundaries when playing songs works well here. But balancing structure and freedom can be like trying to square the circle, and when you record quickly to preserve spontaneity, not everything will be successful. [Aug 2013, p.91]

Mollestad confirms her love of The Melvins, Sonny Sharrock and six-string gymnastics. [Jun 2013, p.95]

A wry, gently nostalgic affair recalling lives lived. [Jun 2013, p.95]

It may not eclipse past achievements but does point to a genuine way forward in a dignified and spiritual manner. [Jul 2013, p.84]

Fun and fully immersive, rewinds are rewarded with a plethora of intricate detail. [Jul 2013, p.85]

Bosnian Rainbows is no less powerful for its focus, segueing from fractured futuristic funk rock, to thorny melodic pop, to resonant power balladry with a fire and confidence confirming the Bosnian Rainbows as no mere "project," but indeed a whole new direction. [Jul 2013, p.86]

Treetop Flyers have perhaps wisely chosen to avoid Mumfords' bombastic path for an altogether sunnier route. [Jun 2013, p.88]

Their ability to create spellbinding instrumentals that blend high-calibre jazz improvisation with accessible melodies is evidenced by the wonderfully serene Reunion and the more febrile Finding Neamo. [Jul 2013, p.94]

With his chosen genre being synonymous with timeless, classic pop, these songs need to be unforgettable to really stand out. Instead they're merely good. [Jul 2013, p.88]

A two-hour 2-CD trip, hanging free in reflective well being. [Jul 2013, p.96]

Pleasant enough, but you may feel you've heard this conversation before. [Jun 2013, p.88]

It's not morose--his voice is too engaging, his songs (and band) too good. [Jul 2013, p.92]

Every one [of the songs are] a solid treasure. [Jul 2013, p.92]

It's gritty urban dramas never become too heavy-hearted, the breezy tunes blowing through like prime Jonathan Richman. [Jul 2013, p.84]

It still feels a bit hammy. [Jul 2013, p.96]

Marc Rigelsford's second LP basks in at-home production warmth. [Jul 2013, p.96]

What could have been overly esoteric instead recalls Vampire Weekend playfulness, albeit with 4/4 beats. [Jul 2013, p.96]

It's all too handsomely sterile to truly love. [Jul 2013, p.96]

The odd uptempo beat rather jars. [Jul 2013, p.96]

Although there are many acts occupying similar territory, the quality of Grey's songwriting and delivery elevates much of the material here. [Jul 2013, p.94]

For all the grey matter on display, this is a Technicolor record. [Jul 2013, p.94]

She sings calmly from the heart, flowing beautifully, her simplicity enhanced by his [producer Howe Gelb] delicate downmix touches. [Jul 2013, p.94]

[The album is] spare, poignant, dark and dry. [Jul 2013, p.92]

Its 11 new originals that wouldn't sound out of place on country radio or in a roadhouse in the '50s and '60s. [Jul 2013, p.92]

Immensely satisfying. [Jul 2013, p.92]