Her peculiar melodies weave their way around rugged pirate radio house/grime grooves in a manner that flirts with silliness but manages to stay intriguing and enticing instead. [Sep 2013, p.104]

It's a very strange album indeed. Happily, it's also a very good one. [Nov 2005, p.131]

It follows the million-dollar formula laid down on 2017's Evolve a little too closely. ... But as emotional Trojan Horses go, few do it better. [Jan 2019, p.110]

There are traces of Bjork and in the childlike voice exploring its surroundings, Yoko Ono, but the fantastical world Xeno creates is entirely her own. [Feb 2018, p.116]

At 41 minutes, Blackstar is a more concise statement than The Next Day and a a far, far more intriguing one, enticing you to follow Bowie further down this freshly-rediscovered, individualistic path where sonic surprises lurk around every corner--a journey that, at times, is not for the faint of heart. [Jan 2016, p.104]

Each of Stray's tracks bring with it a sense of foreboding, from the eerie short-story-style lyrics to the reveryb-y guitars, which land between Echo & The Bunnymen and Ennio Morricone. [Apr 2020, p.105]

The best record he's [Saul Adamczewski's] done. [Apr 2018, p.111]

On most of Patch The Sky, Mould expresses his darkest emotions in way that make you want to shout along. [Jun 2016, p.114]

[Common] delivers something fresh and vibrant by applying his seasoned skills to old-school breaks, classic hooks and a measure of eclecticism. [April 2012, p.104]

Refreshingly, nothing outstays its welcome, not even nine-minute closer 'Massage The History.' [Jul 2009, p.124]

A lovely collection of blue-eyed soul that sets out its stall right from 'Take A Chance's' opening parry. [Nov 2009, p.104]

While unmistakably Scottish leader Scott Hutchison has taken a great songwriting leap forward, the more ingredients his group throws in, the more effecctive and more inspiring the Selkirkers are. [Mar 2010, p.102]

It's a stride towards true excellence. Although likely to remain a cult item, The Beta Band are now easier to embrace than ever, less pastoral and more direc, courtesy of a clear, sharp, intensely rhythmic new sound... [#180, p.97]

Lostprophets inhabit that old-fashioned place where the young are alright and must overcome the cynicism of the jaded oldster at all costs. [Feb 2004, p.104]

At 10 tracks, it's a concise and perfectly paced record, veering between subtlety and stampede. [Oct 2015, p.100]

It's addictively brilliant. [Nov 2019, p.108]

17 years on, Liquid Swords represents hard-nosed hip-hop at its peak. [Oct 2012, p.117

Fans of his early output will continue to wonder why he's forsaken immaculate prog house so completely: those up for the trip, conversely, will just be keen to know where he's headed next. [Dec 2017, p.108]

Smart, affecting and rich in melody, Krystal reveals Maltese to be very much the full ticket. [Jan 2020, p.110]

There's nothing here that's conventional-sounding enough to take... CocoRosie beyond cult status, just shard after shard of fractured melody that burrows deep into the subconscious. [Oct 2005, p.121]

A rousing debut. [Aug 2005, p.123]

Scouse grump and Philadelphia radicals were made for each other. [Nov 2013, p.104]

With Oczy Mlody, they remind us once again that they're also great songwriters. [Feb 2017, p.110]

Abrasive and addictive, the duo have together discovered a chemistry that not only excites themselves, but almost anyone else who experiences it. [Aug 2010, p.122]

[Sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank] are adept at finding new connections, new paths. [Mar 2015, p.118]

Keeping hold of their past while seizing the present, Suede are still capable of taking you over. [Apr 2013, p.98]

Forget diminishing returns, The Something Rain keeps Tindersticks' value high. [April 2012, p.105]

Kacy & Clayton's ability to enchant remains potent on The Siren's Song. [Jul 2018, p.112]