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Captivating music that speaks so very loudly without making much noise at all.
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Sporadically fun, but this set doesn’t paint its maker as a long-term talent.
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The Alabama rapper’s star is sure to shine for the foreseeable based on this debut.
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Striking debut solo collection from the former Lift to Experience frontman.
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As much of a nuisance as a neighbour’s car alarm blaring away at 3am.
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A quirky festive collection revealing a wickedly singular wit.
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This third album from the Canadian singer will chase away the winter chills.
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Drearily sexual lyricism over showy but shallow production dominates RiRi’s sixth LP.
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A quick-fix of flashback fare which moves at just the right speed.
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An engaging and effortless collection to plunge into and drift within.
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Drake is here for the long run – and he’s already outrunning most.
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His voice hasn’t dulled in the slightest, and carries these covers into new territories.
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Melancholic lo-fi magic from a young musician finding his way with touching results.
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Smooth soul from across the English Channel.
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Their classic 1994 set that better encapsulates the Beasties than any other LP.
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Superbly bright modern pop arrangements, highlighted by neon lamplight.
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Nottingham space-rock five-piece knows its way around a giant chorus or two.
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An infectious introduction to some rightly rising pop-rap talents.
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An extended-play offering well worth the admission price.
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Highly promising EP from an Oxford trio worth a tip or two in 2012.
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An attractive if vacuous set of post-Burial electro from the Luxembourg producer.
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Album number three from the Grammy-winning country-rock trio.
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An unexpectedly great sixth LP from former fun-time punks turned introspective souls.
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An amazing, inventive and wholly unique eighth album from an artist without peer.
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It’s everything anyone needs from Pink Floyd, in one package.
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Album number three from the British singer, and a truly great set still eludes him.
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Don’t like metal? You might just love Mastodon.
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The guts and glory of one of rock’s landmark albums revealed across four CDs.
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Second album from a pair whose on-paper promise is perhaps yet to be fully realised.
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A striking debut from a rising artist worth watching out for.
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Studio LP number nine from the multi-million seller could be his UK breakthrough proper.
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File The Weeknd beside Frank Ocean as an RnB star set to climb to new heights in 2012.
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Seattle rockers close in on exceeding their influences across a fine second set.
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British trio sets themselves up as ones to watch with a captivating second EP.
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A satisfying third set from the Irish singer which leaves a warm feeling in the soul.
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A chart-ready set that should see its makers hit new commercial heights.
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The sound of pigeonhole-free ambition slowly being realised, and it’s sounding great.
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An understated classic of the 00s, now expanded with bonus material.
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New Order, Bauhaus, Frankie and more across 35 fine 12” mixes.
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A sixth album from the blues guitarist where restraint produces recommended results.
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Disappointing fare from Britpop revivalists on the receiving end of critical vitriol.
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An inconsistent debut, but showcasing an epic potential, tragically never fully realised
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Not quite a classic Prince album, but Kiss is a minimalist masterpiece
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A foray into accessible but dark-hearted electro from a London artist on the rise.
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Supercharged punk rock that’s like Minor Threat with an unlikely hangover.
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A cover of U Got the Look away from being the City of Lakes’ brightest new stars.
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Tricky’s debut album is an intoxicating listen possessed by a rare, wicked beauty.
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Blinkered beats and dunderheaded lyricism – but compellingly committed nonetheless.
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Something approaching a return to form from the British soul singer.
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An unprecedented debut which changed the face of hip hop in the 90s.
