Klaxons - Myths Of The Near Future

4 Stars

We’ve heard they’re going to do a DJ Shadow on us with the next album. Hip-hop anyone?

29th January 2007

Field Music - Tones Of Town

4 Stars

Regaining the synthesiser from the ​‘nu rave’ rabble and making radio-worthy gubbins that isn’t what we not-so-affectionately know as ​‘tramp rock’, Field Music are spoiling us.

22nd January 2007

The Blood Brothers - Young Machetes

4 Stars

With enough sub-3-minute hard-jazz-spazz-core to fill any scenester’s boots, The Blood Brothers are a super singles band.

20th November 2006

Sugababes - Overloaded: The Singles Collection

4 Stars

‘Overloaded’ is awash with hits, and gives credence to the recent news that Sugababes are the most successful UK pop act this century so far.

13th November 2006

Hot Club De Paris - Drop It Till It Pops

4 Stars

Debut album ​‘Drop It Till It Pops’ is obsessively relentless in sheer power, while they’ve mastered the art of naming.

9th October 2006

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. - The Chronicles Of…

4 Stars

It’s not that long ago that Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. was just a very, very silly name for a band.

18th September 2006

Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy - The Letting Go

4 Stars

It’s an album that will be picked up every now and again, but will never be in the CD player for longer than a couple of plays.

18th September 2006

The Rapture - Pieces Of The People We Love

4 Stars

Whoos, Ooohs and those ubiquitous Cowbells, this latest dance party has been well and truly brought.

18th September 2006

Ben Kweller - Ben Kweller

4 Stars

There’s actually a lot of sadness in there, and talking about the ups and the downs, the negative sides of everything. It’s an album of balance, and fun.

11th September 2006

The Race - Be Your Alibi

4 Stars

Whilst their sound is by no means unique, it’s rare to see a band giving so much so consistently throughout their album, so you’d better make that cup of tea before you stick the CD on.

11th September 2006

You Say Party! We Say Die! - Hit The Floor

4 Stars

You Say Party! We Say Die!‘s exclamatives are dotted with diamonds and dripping in synth. Dancing is compulsory.

4th September 2006

The Sunshine Underground - Raise The Alarm

4 Stars

The singles are the obvious stand-outs — ​‘Put You In Your Place’ as immediate in context as it is on the dancefloor, ​‘I Ain’t Losing Any Sleep’ equally as infectious.

28th August 2006

The Young Knives - Voices Of Animals And Men

4 Stars

In short, ​‘Voices Of Animals And Men’ could easily be the most impressive album of this year — debut or otherwise.

21st August 2006

Peter, Bjorn And John - Writer’s Block

4 Stars

While we could suggest stalking the drummer it’s probably best to go and buy the album. You’ll be getting a treat.

14th August 2006

Duels - The Bright Lights…

4 Stars

It looked like it was never going to happen. A raft of underperforming singles, serial comparisons to That Other Band From Leeds, line-up problems, music industry mis-steps, and finally Duels’ album manages to wriggle free into the world.

31st July 2006

Tapes ‘n Tapes - The Loon

4 Stars

DIY loves little more than an excellent debut album, and who couldn’t love an album with a track titled ​‘Cowbell’? Really?

24th July 2006

Lily Allen - Alright, Still

4 Stars

There’s a chance if you had the ​‘wrong’ facial expression she’d be likely to throw a few punches. But, that’s probably why we love her and debut album ​‘Alright, Still’: they don’t pretend to be anything they’re not.

17th July 2006

The Pipettes - We Are The Pipettes

4 Stars

Creating melodies sweeter than the proverbial bee’s honey, and the ability to dispel any fears of even the mention of the words ​‘hosepipe ban’, it’s official: summer is here, and it’s going to be fab.

17th July 2006

The Dears - Gang Of Losers

4 Stars

Murray Lightburn is definitely one of the best songwriters of this decade so far, proving it with tracks such as ​‘Ballad Of Human Kindness’ with its pop-electro-keyboard sampling beat.

28th June 2006

iLiKETRAiNS - Progress Reform

4 Stars

Limited differentiation between tracks in this instance is not a criticism, but a compliment as the flowing ebbs tussle for a piece of your attention.

26th June 2006

The Automatic - Not Accepted Anywhere

4 Stars

The cynical may complain, the boring may not like it, but by injecting a sizeable slice of pop into the new wave, post punk revolution ​‘Not Accepted Anywhere’ more than does the job.

19th June 2006

Camera Obscura - Let’s Get Out Of This Country

4 Stars

It’s a collection of wonderfully sweet songs with equally bittersweet lyrics, something even Belle and Sebastian themselves would be proud of.

5th June 2006

The Futureheads - News And Tributes

4 Stars

‘News And Tributes’ however, is not an arty album, despite first impressions, and after a few listens you’ll forget the chilly lows, and remember the pleasant summery highs.

29th May 2006

Hot Chip - The Warning

4 Stars

While ​‘Over And Over’s crunchy electro might be tearing up indie discos up and down the land, there’s a warmer, more relaxed heart to the rest of their sophomore album.

22nd May 2006