Ian Hunter
Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Lyrically rich glam rock from former Mott The Hoople singer Ian Hunter, the second in a proposed trilogy
Pearl Jam
Dark Matter
Punchy twelfth album from grunge rock pioneers Pearl Jam
Libertines
All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade
Ramshackle but effective first album in nine years from The Libertines
Beyonce
Cowboy Carter
Surprising new album from Beyonce which confounds expectations by combining elements of country rock with her roots in R and B and dance
Texas and Spooner Oldham
The Muscle Shoals Sessions
Stripped down but impressive joint album between Glasgow band Texas and veteran keyboardist Spooner Oldham
Black Crowes
Happiness Bastards
Excellent first album in fifteen years and welcome return for blues rockers The Black Crowes
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland
Swing Fever
Enjoyable new album from Rod Stewart and Jools Holland which celebrates the big band sounds of the 1930s and 1940s
Banter
Heroes
Excellent fourth album from acoustic folk band Banter, who pay tribute on it to their own musical heroes
Paloma Faith
The Glorification of Sadness
Powerful, rock-influenced break-up album from Paloma Faith, which was inspired by the collapse of her nine-year relationship
Reytons
Ballad of a Bystander
Powerful and anthemic guitar rock on third album from Rotherham band The Reytons
Paul McCartney and Wings
Band on the Run
Enjoyable 50th anniversary reissue in various formats of Paul McCartney and Wings' groundbreaking LP
Marika Hackman
Big Sigh
Melancholic and brooding combination of piano ballads and indie folk on latest album from multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Marika Hackman
Smile
Wall of Eyes
Cinematic second studio album from The Smile. the new project of Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood
Green Day
Saviors
Accomplished and energetic latest album from San Francisco punks Green Day
Sleater-Kinney
Little Rope
Discordant and bleak but powerful eleventh album from Olympia-formed veteran alternative rock outfit Sleater-Kinney
Shed Seven
A Matter of Time
Infectiously enthusiastic first album in seven years from 90’s Britpop act Shed Seven
Cat Power
Cat Power Sings Dylan
Accomplished covers album from Cat Power, in which she recreates Bob Dylan’s famous 1966 concert at the Manchester Free Trade Hall
Tina Turner
Queen of Rock 'n' Roll
Irresistible, chronologically-ordered box set compilation of Tina Turner's solo work
Peter Gabriel
I/O
Excellent first album of new material in over twenty-one years from Peter Gabriel
Sundara Karma
Better Luck Next Time
Infectious yet thought-provoking indie rock on third album from Reading-based group Sundara Karma
Madness
Theatre Of The Absurd Presents C'est La Vie
Often dark and pessimistic concept album from Madness about the state of our planet
Dolly Parton
Rockstar
Impressive collection of covers on first rock album from Dolly Parton
Emeli Sande
How Were We To Know
Strong comeback album from Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sande
Chris Stapleton
Higher
Soulful fifth album from much acclaimed country star Chris Stapleton
Taylor Swift
1989 (Taylor's Version)
Expanded and reworked version of Taylor Swift’s 2014 album which saw her make the transition from country to pop
Van Morrison
Accentuate The Positive
Surprisingly upbeat double album of 1950s rock and roll and 1960s pop covers from Van Morrison
Cher
Christmas
Energetic and appealing album of Christmas song covers from Cher
Agnetha Faltstog
A+
Revamped and now elegant dance and electronic pop-based new version of her 2013 solo album ‘A’ from ex-Abba star Agnetha Faltskog
Rolling Stones
Hackney Diamonds
Impressive and masterful album of new material in eighteen years from The Rolling Stones
Rick Astley
Are We There Yet?
Smooth and highly professional new album from 80’s icon Rick Astley whose comeback over the last few years has been remarkable
Kylie Minogue
Tension
Irresistible dance pop on enjoyable new album from Kylie Minogue
Carla Fuchs
Songbird
Unique and innovative album from German songer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Carla Fuchs in which she has set lost lyrics from Sandy Denny to her own music
Corinne Bailey Rae
Black Rainbows
Ambitiou, indie-influenced concept album from acclaimed soul artist Corinne Bailey Rae
Pretenders
Relentless
Classy and rewarding, latest album from The Pretenders
Alice Cooper
Road
Punchy, old school and humorously self-deprecating 22nd solo album from Alice Cooper
Liam Gallagher
Knebworth '22
Powerful and enjoyable collection of solo tracks and Oasis classics from Liam Gallagher recorded live at Knebworth last year
Lucinda Williams
Stories from a Rock 'n' Roll Heart
Powerful latest album from elder stateswoman of rock Lucinda Williams who has fought back from health issues
Joni Mitchell
At Newport
Stunning live album from Joni Mitchell recorded at her surprise first full show for twenty years at the Newport Folk Festival
Rita Ora
You and I
Long-awaited but solid third album from pop icon Rita Ora
Gabriels
Angels and Queens
Excellent debut album from much acclaimed American soul trio Gabriels
PJ Harvey
I Inside the Old Year Dying
Intimate and down to earth new album from PJ Harvey which reflects on her rural Dorset upbringing
Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Hana
Versatile first album of new songs in seven years from Sophie Ellis-Bextor which takes some of its musical inspiration from Far Eastern culture
Foo Fighters
But Here We Are
Elegiac new album from the Foo Fighters, their first since the death last year of their drummer, Taylor Hawkins.
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Council Skies
Competent first album in six years from Noel Gallagher and his revolving project The High Flying Birds
Paul Simon
Seven Psalms
Rewarding and playful Biblical-inspired new album from Paul Simon
Simply Red
Time
Classic vintage pop-influenced latest album from the bestselling Simply Red
Jonas Brothers
The Album
Professionally produced and well performed but bland sixth album from New Jersey trio The Jonas Brothers
Durand Jones
Wait Til I Get Over
Ambitious and verstaile debut solo album from promising Louisiana-based singer-songwriter Durand Jones
Lemon Twigs
Everything Harmony
Excellent return-to-form on fourth album from classic rock influenced Long Island duo The Lemon Twigs
Dolly Mavies
The Calm and The Storm
Accomplished debut album from critically acclaimed Oxfordshire-based indie folk artist Dolly Mavies
National
First Two Pages of Frankenstein
Immaculate and beautiful-sounding ninth album from the much axcclaimed The National
Ian Hunter
Defiance Part 1
Resilient and life-affirming solo album from rock veteran and former Mott The Hoople frontman Ian Hunter
Ellie Goulding
Higher Than Heaven
Upbeat and energetic electronica for the dance floor on the latesr album from Ellie Goulding
U2
Songs of Surrender
Appealing new box set from U2, who have taken forty of their best-loved tracks and reworked them into alternative versions
Allan Clarke
I'll Never Forget
Classy second solo album in four years from former Hollies singer Allan Clarke which finds him reuinited with old bandmate Graham Nash
Depeche Mode
Memento Mori
Exhilirating and revitalising tour-de-force fifteenth album from Depeche Mode, their first recorded as a two-piece after the death of founder member Andy Fletcher last year
Van Morrison
Moving On Skiffle
Refreshing and upbeat double CD collection of skiffle, blues and country covers from Van Morrison
Lathums
From Nothing To A Little bit More
Exceptional guitar rock on second album from Wigan-based band The Lathums who sseem to be on the verge of major success
Adam Lambert
High Drama
Eclectic but hit and miss covers album from Adam Lambert, who is also the current frontman of Queen
Inhaler
Cuts and Bruises
Fiery and distinctive post-punk on second album from Inhaler, the band of Bono's eldest son Elijah Hewson