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.

They are like nothing you've ever heard before and everything you one day hoped you would, too strong for the charts and too corrupting for MTV.

From this you'll gather that Ferndorf charms and frustrates in equal measure.

Maybe not an essential purchase, but if you're already counting the days down until the official third album The Crying Light is released in January, this should more than satisfy you.

It is, more importantly, a fine record of a dynamic live performance by a hugely influential band who transcended their punk origins.

Whatever El Guincho's debt to Panda Bear, the decision to keep Alegranza! in the mama tongue lends it a genuine other-wordliness unlikely to be found in the well-traversed topography of American music.

It's tuneful, well-written and beautifully played, and throughout there's no getting away from a Coldplay-esque earnestness.

All of this is packaged up in black and white watercolours commissioned for the album and lyrics booklet from Antony Gormley. The music is just as beautiful.

While Those Dancing Days may struggle to last in the easy come, easy go world of indie pop, let alone stand out amidst the current glut of Swedish imports cluttering our shelves, In Our Space Hero Suits proves they deserve their five minutes of fame.

It sounds a bit like they're trying too hard, trying to be too clever in their pursuit of "technicolour joy".

While this may not be his finest solo moment (that honour still belongs to his debut, "Rockin' The Suburbs"), if you want some intelligent, moving and addictive pop songs, you can't go far wrong with Mr Folds.

Surprisingly though, Snowflake Midnight, if it is heard widely outside of fan circles, may win the band more fans than their more straightforward output.

Koushik has produced that rare thing, an album with which to relax while admiring its musical content.

Victory Shorts is the perfect addition to their oeuvre, building on 2006's Schmotime with the same irreverence and deep-seated emotion that turns a good record into a great one.

Does You Inspire You has a few high points, most of them hidden in the quieter corners of the album. In its more strident moments, though, it's just plain puzzling.

If you relax into it, and not expect the same experience as seeing Steve live, it's pretty good.

Quite what has held back the milieu of meandering morons that make up the music scenes mid range, mid class, middlemen is probably this intelligent and creative leap; crossing genres and keeping your opus open and fresh.

The Hawk Is Howling is a record that shows Mogwai's lips to be sealed, but speaks volumes about their depth and ingenuity.

This is an album which feels like it was made quickly, not because of artists reaching a terminal velocity of creativity, but to take maximum advantage of an audience who may not be there this time next year.

Deep Science should enhance TVOTR's reputation as one of the finest, forward-thinking bands around, along with fellow Brooklyn acts Animal Collective and Liars.

Unless a couple more of these tracks manage to repeat the success of 'When I Grow Up' and stick on commercial radio, this is an album heading straight for the bargain bins.

It's not the most instantly winning of albums, but its rewards become evident after repeated listens, its subtleties revealing themselves like an unfolding paper fan.

Overall, though, the music is worth wading through everything else for.

A short and not a little peculiar gem of an album then and one that proves that on his day Hegarty is full of great ideas.

For better or worse, Thievery is ultimately content to stick to the script, busting out another batch of worldly background noise perfect for a post-party VIP lounge in Ibiza.

I was so looking forward to hearing Monkey: Journey to the West, as I'd totally succumbed to its charm in the theatre, but I'd advise anyone approaching this CD to do so with caution, especially if you've not seen it in its glory in the theatre where it belongs.

This is a collection of instrumentals that, when fully peeled back, reveal beauty within, and are fit to grace many a chill out collection. It's just a shame that they stop frustratingly short of revealing more personality, which vocals would have achieved.

As excitingly promising a solo debut as any.