Furfour is not an album that will change the world. Tracks come and go leaving only occasional ear worming melodies and are largely bereft of sing along moments. It is, however, quite possibly the most interesting listen you’re likely to get all year as each play will reveal something you didn’t catch before and for that reason alone, it’s one that needs to be heard over and over.

Minor grumbles aside, Bromst is a thrilling, hyperactive album that runs from calm and composed to frantic and frazzled, usually within the space of an intro.

A startlingly honest and sprawling debut entry from Blanco, one which challenges the listener at every turn.

A record that doesn’t always astound but has a fair few enjoyable moments, and some very effective vocal performances.

At this point in Mogwai’s history, it’d be unreasonable to expect any kind of seismic shift in direction, but what they’ve done with Atomic is refine their methods to create something that could just possibly be the highlight of the career to date.

This is an adventurous and beguiling record that eschews the abrasiveness of Björk's more esoteric albums in favour of inviting the listener to explore its deeper reaches alongside the artist.

Armageddon is a sop to the disaffected fans of FFAF's pomp, and in seeking to recapture their ardour it tries too hard to pander to their needs. And from the few tracks that evidence what could have been, that's a shame.

A big, gorgeous old hug of an album.

Each listen reveals moments easily missed the first time around, and they become the moments where Pollard’s underappreciated genius shines brightest.

Glasvegas have managed to top their own previous efforts before we've even had the chance to get used to them properly.

Speech Therapy is a startlingly good debut album from a woman who could well be the biggest thing in UK hip-hop for many a long year.

It’s fair to say that sometimes, Power’s laudable ambition means that the album trips over itself. However, despite some flaws, it does make for a great showcase to remind everyone just what a brilliant songwriter Ben Garrett can be.

With Family Portrait Ross From Friends (or Dr Geller as he prefers to be called) confirms enviable production skills that were already displayed on hype-building 12” releases, but is missing some songwriting nous that would have lifted the album up and made it a more consistently engaging listen.

The main issue that dogs this album is weak composition – few of the ideas are outright bad, but they don’t earn their runtime.

The creative synthesis between her and producer Dre Skull means there isn’t a dull moment on the record. I Don’t Want: The Gold Fire Sessions is a gem, an energetic and hook-filled album that leaves the listener wanting more.

Proof Of Youth does lack the immediacy that Thunder Lightning Strike possessed in spades, but that is not to its detriment. Ian Parton has done it again and made an addictive, memorable second album.

Lengthier drawn out psych-jams similar to TOY could be one direction that would be an improvement, as would the addition of a guitar maestro, but without a special ingredient you can’t help but feel The Proper Ornaments will sadly find themselves consigned to granny’s shelf too soon, a fact you desperately don’t want to see happen, such is the potential hinted at throughout.

Idlewild have taken some time, done the latter and the result is their most accomplished album to date.

The album works best listened to in its entirely rather than separating each cut from one another.

The album may have been inspired by empty urban voids and desolate space but the ideas and execution found on Abandoned City conversely indicate a depth and creative vigour that is close to reaching peak form.

Naming a band The Very Best may seem like posturing, but on the evidence of Warm Heart Of Africa they're on to something.

The album's highlights far outweigh the more average moments, and there are enough signs here that The Like are going to be around for some time to come.

Pierce is clearly most comfortable when working in hybrid idioms that challenge preconceived indie-rock formats. When he is operating within those very constraints, the results are far less exciting. Luckily, this album tends to favour his natural operating zone.

Not only is it one of Costello’s best collaborative efforts, it’s also one of his best albums full stop. Recommended for Costello newcomers and long-time believers alike.

So When You Gonna... sets Dream Wife up nicely as a radical band their day, actively engaging with the major issues at hand, progressive in their sound and statements, and making the case for re-evaluating how gender is viewed in the music industry and beyond.

As much as Unicorn would benefit from having Solo or Salt Air included, it's a testament to the quality of the majority of the other tracks that they've still managed to make a solid debut.

Dying is a fine debut that suggests Spectres have a lot more to offer.

It is the best and most meaningful music Tracey Thorn has made in a long time.