A fine reintroduction to Jill Scott. It may not be as instantly genre-defining as that debut album proved to be, but it’s a record by an artist who sounds totally refreshed by her hiatus.

An unremittingly sad record, one that almost suffocates the listener with its own melancholia; and yet there's also something strangely inspirational in its 10 piano-led hymns to failing and trying again.

All in, Overgrown is a triumph. It is evidence of James Blake forging his own singular musical path, free from hype and expectation, and blossoming into both a producer of real compositional skill and a songwriter of great depth.

Silence Yourself may not invent a genre. Silence Yourself may not give you something you didn’t have already. But it is so stark, so bold and delivered with such utter belief that you wonder why anyone would possibly care.

It won't be remembered for long, but in 40 minutes the album offers an amorous walk through a woman's keen strength in a style of music that will never sound dated.

Virgin may not be Lorde’s most polished album, but it’s certainly her most compelling and revealing

Whether the second volume expands on this achievement is unlikely, but Thile now must be considered--along with Bela Fleck--as one of the contemporary masters of the mandolin, exercising his powers across multiple genres.

A true work of genius by a true eccentric.

Past Life Martyred Saints is an album that leaves a mark.

On first listen, it seems unfocused, rambling and at times impenetrable, but given time, it unfurls into something utterly compelling and all encompassing. ... It’s a difficult and traumatic journey at times, but it is worth taking.

Lindstrøm manages to achieve a palatable yet ambitious record without ever resorting to indulgence, not forgetting in his view of large forms to look closer and focus on the minutiae.

What this three-hour opus does is show Matmos to still be intrepid sonic explorers, pushing the boundaries of musical orthodoxy and consolidating their unique position within the avant-garde.

A sensational album of varying degrees of pleasure and pain. ... Ultimate Success Today is their most cathartic statement to date.

Clever but debauched, silly but serious, this is the best album of their career thus far.

It's appealingly uncompromising and right on the border between lucidity and madness.

In each of the 21 songs there is something to draw from, an instrumental colour to enjoy or a sentiment with which to relate.

The results might not always work--the dreary "Disturbed This Morning," for example--but when they do, it is almost always exciting. By no means is this a classic album, but there are plenty of worthwhile moments to be had.

Keeping the intensity and power of their previous work, but much more agile and versatile in its approach, The People In Your Neighbourhood feels comfortably like Led Bib’s best work to date.

Full of subtle moments of fragile beauty, this is a lush and sumptuous album. As soundtracks go, it is a very lovely one.

Those expecting freedom and discordance may come away disappointed, but this is, none the less, a driven and impressive album from a band in fine, but different, form.

There’s just enough experimentation and intrigue within the 10 songs to make Chorusgirl’s debut one to explore.

Some may miss Taylor’s presence and powerhouse vocals, but Slow Club fans will still find plenty to enjoy--and the uninitiated will be able to hear a truly talented songwriter coming into his own at last.

Coupled with mostly low-key guest appearances, The Pool isn’t an album that jumps out at you. It’s an easygoing record that has a sophisticated yet soulful centre, and that’s where its appeal lies.

It’s a fine showcase for Tunng’s strongest set of songs in many years--happily, this seems to be one reunion that’s working out just fine.

While there’s no denying that when they hit their default groove – as on To the Nth, for example – GoGo Penguin are a mightily tight, impressive unit, this album does leave you wanting more from a very talented band clearly capable of greater things.

A compendious set of cinematic, soothing and poignant songs, showcasing a deeper maturity not only in Melua’s voice, but also in her songwriting.

Above all, though, there’s McAlmont’s voice, which has lost none of its sexiness and agility in the years since he arrived on the scene in his partnership with Bernard Butler. ... While all of the musical elements may have a strong element of reminiscence about them, the lyrics are bang up-to-date, and not always as cheerful as the sound-world suggests.

Brothers & Sisters sees him build on these long established musical interests but, importantly, also add new elements to the mix to deliver a compelling listen. It comes out of the blocks impressively quickly, with each track building on the former to create a formidable initial run. ... In terms of musical statements it’s hard not to see it as his most vivid and vibrant to date.