Pop go the classics with Sufjan Stevens.

Welcome return to form from nineties stalwarts, not much has changed with this tenth studio album but if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Mournful folkie not quite as desolate as usual.

A thin line between revelation and revivalism, Adams and the Cardinals make an album worthy of high praises.

It’s as warm and forgiving and generously tender a collection of songs as you’ll hear all year.

After thirty years, Souxise's still twice as interesting as three people half her age.

No Line On The Horizon is a mature, tender, reflective record of great musical variety, depth and beauty that could only have been made by four people who've experienced just about everything that life can throw at you.

Stereolab learn to stop being boring and love the pop.

Chris Martin and co. return with another album guaranteed to rock arenas across the world.

Strokes frontman ditches leather jacket, reinvents self as DIY Gary Numan.

Brendan Benson expertly assembles pop music using the manual.

It’s the closing triptych of quasi-classical numbers--the aforementioned ‘Exogenesis’ sequence--that transports Muse to a place beyond parody.

Washington Square Serenade is another substantial chapter in what looks like becoming an epic songbook.

The various elements are spun like syrup round a spoon; creating a deliciously moreish concoction, the sort you’ll want to dip into time and again.

It's like he'd never been away after an absence of five years.

The Swedish fivesome’s trademark sound is so ridiculously simple that you’ll be humming it all day, and with their quirky humour, probably with a grin on your face.

Lucinda Williams provides instruction for those who feel fucked around and fobbed off at 40-something.

Food-obsessed lyrics tinged with medieval mischief.

Former Be Good Tanya delivers modern americana nugget.

Ho & bling free rap of the highest thought provoking order.

Raw, beguiling psychedelia from Californian newcomers.

Uber-producer makes sublime soundtrack to documentary film.

Strange House is actually an intriguingly intelligent debut.

Lovely promiscuous electronica.

Foo Fighters’ sixth studio album is a transitional rather than definitive piece of work, but one that sees them growing older with 'patience and grace'.

A game of two halves as Brooklyn world music troop go synth pop on split disc.

Snoozy delights from the polyphonic twee whose outright nerdiness is charming.

American slacker act back on track.