It's always great to see one of our better artists achieving a return to form, but it's usually successful with leveled results. But on The Ecstatic, Mos Def is certainly back and he has released the best hip-hop album of the year, so far.

The eleven original songs all sound distinctively unique and yet, uniquely familiar all the same. And even when Oldham covers a song, he is able to make it sound like one of his own.

It’s symphonic, seductive, resolute, yearning.

Brilliant.

This is a gorgeous pop album that deals maturely with a wide range of emotions and ideas.

It never really builds steam until the end, when it is almost too late.

So whilst The Obliterati is certainly not a patch on the seminal Vs. - given that it lacks the same magical combination of cerebral claustrophobia and kinetic psychosis - it’s easily more potent than the over-oiled ONoffON.

Although amERICa perhaps lacks a few more songs that could standalone from its conceptual connectivity, as a combined entity it captures Eric Goulden catching an inventive and much-deserved third wind for his charmingly contrary career.

Whereas his previous long-players were primarily personified by their hushed beauty, dusty experimentation, and nostalgic romanticism, Post-War pushes forward a more boisterous and band-orientated vision for Ward’s sturdy songwriting.

Whether it is the new production, the new sounds, the new language or maybe just the unique cover, everything works for Sigur Rós; on Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust is something exceptional.

You are There is a fine example of post-rock that outshines both Mogwai and Godspeed You! Black Emperor's latest or last affairs.

Once again, the Pale Young Gentlemen has crafted a singularly noteworthy record unlike anything else.

Rounding out his catalog, Jay Stay Paid makes a worthy addition to any hip-hop aficionado’s collection.

Mostly though, this ethereal mix of multi-layered and textured dream-pop is frothing with jangly and heavily reverbed guitars, amid shoegazing drones and electro-style beats, that displays Atlas Sound’s sense of adventure and pop experimentation while providing the listener with countless entertaining spins.

I cannot overstate enough the cross genre appeal that is contained within Sentenced to Life. There is literally enough here for everyone; while it lacks a black metal vibe I feel it would still be relevant enough for those that jam out with corpse paint.

With engaging songwriting, creative instrumentation and melodically special music, not only is Actor everything we imagined it would be but Clark has redefined the definition of pop music.

This album shows that these guys have plenty of room to expand stylistically while still absolutely owning blues rock.

Be Still Please is the best work of McCaughan’s career.

I bet that The Milk of Human Kindness will appear on my and others’ “best of 2005” lists.

On Metals Feist combines the sublime magic of her voice with songs that feature equally strong compositions to render an album that is easily one of the best of the year.

Animals in the Dark is a natural progression from Whitmore’s previous stripped-down affairs.

It’s another astounding album from a great band and one that we should get much, much more music from for many years to come.

Not a career-changing collection as such but a quietly redemptive revelation that satisfyingly sustains its author’s veteran status.

Overall, this is sophisticated pop with a folky twist crowned by a heaven-sent voice.

Liars have created another standout album that while dissimilar from the rest, is nothing short of amazing and nothing of a surprise from such an exceptional band.

The more I listened to Tanglewood Numbers, the more I liked it.

As Perfume Genius, he's [Mike Hadreas] developed a strong second album with Put Your Back N 2 It, a modestly personal release.

All in all, for The Clientele this is another great album in what’s getting to be a long line of great albums.