Michael Barron

This is Cast sounding comfortable, confident, and settled. The songs are strong, the production is polished without being overworked, and the band sound like they know exactly who they are at this stage.

Through The Open Window doesn’t just fill in the blanks — it lets us hear, almost in real time, the birth of a legend.

While there are fleeting, unintended nods to Zeppelin, Saving Grace is its own creation. Plant has shed the weight of his rock legacy here, committing instead to a band that thrives on restraint, reinterpretation, and shared storytelling.

If Supernova was raw fire, Parasites & Butterflies is more sculpted — polishing edges, leaning further into electronic textures and vocal distortion, and often separating their rock and R&B/hip-hop instincts rather than fusing them outright. The result is less jagged but still bold, and when the duo hit their stride, the anthems are undeniable.

A Sober Conversation is an outstanding album—ambitious, honest, and unpredictable. Christinzio’s ability to blend humour with heartbreak and tragedy with absurdity is unparalleled.

With Boys These Days, Sports Team deliver a sharp, funny, and sometimes sobering soundtrack to young adulthood in freefall. Switching labels from Island to Distiller and shaking off genre expectations, they’ve proved they’re not just evolving — they’re leading the charge.

Constellations for the Lonely is classic Doves—dark, brooding, and beautiful in its devastation. But while their ability to turn personal pain into widescreen, heart-wrenching music remains intact, one can only hope that the inspiration for their next masterpiece comes from a place of peace rather than hardship.

Larkin Poe have long been known for creating music that stirs the soul, but Bloom elevates their artistry. It pairs their signature sound with some of their most relatable and introspective lyrics to date, offering meaningful music and a mirror for humanity.

In sum, & is a bold and original project that not only showcases Bastille’s musical versatility but also their knack for storytelling.

Whether this newfound energy comes from their use of the Behringer Poly D or their more collaborative working process is up for debate, but what’s clear is that No Hero is an exceptional record, offering a mix of easy listening and profound unease.

Stream of Life not only challenges listeners to explore their own beliefs but does so with the vibrancy and energy that has long defined Maxïmo Park’s music.

This Could Be Texas stands out in a crowded musical landscape, promising a listening experience that is both thought-provoking and exhilarating.

The wait was worth it, and the result is The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light demonstrates the evolution of The Streets both lyrically and musically. When future anthropologists want to study society and culture, The Streets will be referenced for both the noughties and the twenties.

Falling or Flying flies high when honest and musically deep and, at times, loose and fancy-free. The songs with these qualities are the most unique and demonstrate that Jorja Smith deserves to stand tall amongst the many A-listers she has collaborated with.

On Nothing Lasts Forever Teenage Fanclub have mastered when not to add too much of something but at the same time misses opportunities to innovate and draw listeners in.