His rap style isn't as distinctive as Ja Rule or DMX, but as the singalong Many Men (Wish Death) shows, with Eminem on his team, there's no stopping him. [May 2003, p.98]

Naysayers may write this off as a derivative mash up of early-'90s indie moves, but on Empire Kasabian have become bigger than the sum of their record collections. [Oct 2006, p.116]

It confirms the suspicion that Bugg really could go all the way to the top. [Dec 2013, p.106]

It's clever, effortless and very likable. [May 2020, p.110]

It's an invitation that's hard to resist. [May 2017, p.113]

It all adds up to an impressive first step that ticks plenty of the right boxes, as does Duffy herself. [Apr 2008, p.100]

Throughout, chunks of ska and pop ensure an absurdly cheerful atmosphere. [Oct 2013, p.110]

A thrilling record of an artist in his element. [Jun 2019, p.115]

A lovingly crafted, deeply satisfying step forward. [Mar 2013, p.110]

For all its characteristic lyricism and stylistic restlessness, to say there is never a dull moment on Notes on a Conditional Form would be a slight overstatment. [Jul 2020, p.103]

On Word Of Mouth he's finally built a viable path between those old and new worlds. [Mar 2014, p.115]

An enthralling, multi-layered listen. [Aug 2020, p.109]

An inventive reworking of Squeeze's "Up The Junction" and a caustic cover of the Sex Pistols' "EMI" are reminders that, 15 years on from "I Should Coco," their passionate (Brit)pop still crackles with energy. [Apr 2010, p.112]

Parquet Courts are a charmingly old-fashioned band, transmitting cryptic, collapsible songs to an anyone who can build a receiver from Guided By Voices-coloured vinyl and Pavement fanzines. [Jun 2013, p.104]

There's something almost rave-friendly about their effervescence at times. [Aug 2014, p.102]

Mischievously sexy. [Aug 2013, p.94]

There's a lot going in here, but it's delivered with an effortless charm that trusts listeners to pay due attention in their own sweet time. So far, so swimmingly. [Aug 2012, p.94]

Rhythms skip and play seemingly without touching earth... These are manifestly the labours of a man still with something to say. [Nov 2000, p.109]

The dense plot might be confounding on first listen but the MC's high-speed interplay and Younge's cinematic arrangements, recorded entirely live and analogue, make for a breathlessly entertaining masterclass in classic hip-hop storytelling. [Oct 2014, p.121]

A strange, spooked and deeply involving record. [Jul 2012, p.105]

While he has never sounded quite so full of empathy, this is a grumpy old record. [Oct 2006, p.114]

The qualities that make M.I.A. a tough sell is the same one that fuels her restless, hungry, inspirational music. [Dec 2013, p.100]

As a statement on where the UK's urban scene is headed in 2017, it demands to be heard. [May 2017, p.109]

Showing his mastery of modern music in all its form. [Jun 2020, p.98]

A return with soul and fire. [Oct 2013, p.110]

This latest installment unearths yet more rare and diverse dancefloor gems. [June 2019, p.119]

Warm and beautiful music. [Mar 2014, p.117]

The Velvet Trail finds him firmly on home turf: sparkling glam-noir and sumptuous balladeering. [Apr 2015, p.85]