That quest to explore her true colors is tenderly juxtaposed with some grand arrangements--woodwind, strings, marching drums--that bring to mind Minnie Riperton, Bond themes and '40s Disney movies. [Aug 2018, p.24]

Crutchfield's distinctive, smoky voice couldn't be more different from Williamson's softer one, yet the way they melt together on the choruses you'd swear it was fated. [Dec 2022, p.35]

Heavy Light is no one-note affair. ... Artfully honest songs. [Apr 2020, p.36]

An album from a band that still sound truly individual. [Oct 2023, p.25]

The result is an album that displays Wolfe's versatility and ability to stir power from whispers as easily as she does howls. [Oct 2019, p.39]

Brothers is really all about The Black Keys; swaggering journey from sub-White Stripes curio to one of the best rock'n'roll bands on the planet. [Jun 2010, p.81]

[The first half is] all dismayingly unconvincing and lacklustre in execution... Then something changes.

A slight tendency to clutter is in evidence, but when the band pare it back, it's magical. [Nov 2013, p.81]

On this evidence, enough to suggest that Birch, now into her late sixties, might just be entering her next great creative phase. [Apr 2023, p.39]

Undeniably, they are a dance band first and foremost, but fans of Tinariwen will find plenty to love in raw soulful numbers like "Koana" and Farila." [Jun 2015, p.83]

There aren't many groups whose experimental cojones nestle comfortably alongside arch-classicist songwriting, but Califone solved that thorny equation long ago. [Sep 2013, p.85]

Humanely crafted, with a warmth unusual in the avant-garde. [Jun 2004, p.96]

In a world supersaturated with electronica, Broadcast are nonetheless bold, rare and crucial. [Sep 2003, p.97]

The quintet's transformation from schlocky garage urchins to ambassadors of thrilling new-wave can largely be attributed to Portishead's Geoff Barrow, who, alongside Chris Cunningham, produced "Primary Colours," uncovering a formidable band beneath the haircuts. [Jun 2009, p.86]

Cry Cry Cry is 21st-century rock at its most delectably omnivorous. [Nov 2017, p.39]

Musically, Wildcard is all over the place00and that might be its best quality. She ties all these various sounds and styles and settings together by sheer force of will and one of Nashville's mightiest twangs. [Dec 2019, p.26]

Attains new heights of intoxication on reconvening after four years away. [Aug 2024, p.38]

An album of their most beautiful tracks. [Dec 2020, p.27]

There's an intriguing version of Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" and tunes by Monk and Ellington alongside originals that lurch from freaky modernism to stately classical. [Oct 2010, p.108]

This addictive slab of retro rock is the work of gifted singer/guitarist Tash Neal and deft drummer.singer Chris St Hilaire, who've loaded the 13 tracks here with hooks. [Sep 2015, p.77]

Stand-out numbers include the sumptuous orchestral lament "Hi A Skoellyas Liv A Dhagrow" and the gorgeous "Herdhya", a breathy spooktronica ballad with an anti-Brexit theme. [Apr 2018, p.27]

A powerful, unusual record. [May 2018, p.24]

For all its old-time vibes, a typically inspired record from Ferry. [Jan 2019, p.21]

There's no shortage of invention and genre mashes to prick up the ears here. [Aug 2019, p.34]

A mutant strain of noisy funk, hip-hop, subversive art punk and dirty disco. [Dec 2019, p.35]

You could say this kind of record - produced by Dan Auerbach, who's also on guitar duty, for his own label - that plays to a revered, even fetishised aesthetic. ... With a band of experienced session hands. ... [Finley's] mastery is proven. [Jun 2021, p.25]

His brightest and most vivid record. ... Here he finds new dimensions, rethinking his phrasing, tone and cadence. [Sep 2021, p.16]

Spans Essiebons' output between 1973-84 and gives some indication of its profile as both a prime mover of modern highlife and promoter of Afrobeat and funk. [Jan 2022, p.44]