Barlow and co's 'This Life' starts strong: opener 'Keep Your Head Up' is gorgeous, mesmerising and melodic. However, as expected, it's all downhill from there: the vocals are grating, the lyrics are toe-curling, and overall this album is boring. Unfortunately for Gary, Howard and Mark, the only remaining members of what began as a five-piece, it seems as if it's time to pack it in

The 'Gangsta's Paradise' sample in 'STAND UP' is a crime against hip-hop

While 'In The End It Always Does', The Japanese House's sophomore album, may not have been entirely impactful on first listen, it certainly grows on its listener steadily. However, these session versions of the album's tracks at time feel slightly off, meaning that it is, unfortunately, near impossible for a similar effect to occur

While it's easy to argue that Bleach Lab's debut album adds little to a sound that is already overdone, it's also hard not to fall instantly in love with their flawless blend of dream pop, shoegaze and indie rock. 'Lost In A Rush Of Emptiness' may, occasionally, become, well, lost in a rush of emptiness, but overall it is a promising introduction to an exciting new group in the UK scene

What the fuck

Easily fading into the background, André 3000's debut album is just... there. Critics and audiences alike need to stop lauding works that are experimental or unexpected purely because they are experimental or unexpected - there's nothing particularly wrong with this album, but it becomes duller as it progresses and ends up being, musically at least, almost entirely uninteresting

Provocative, commanding and empowering, Sexyy Red's 'Hood Hottest Princess' is an exhilarating, though at times baffling, half hour. To some, the 11 tracks may seem over-sexualised, derivative and backwards; to others they are a set of unstoppably energetic and confident nightclub floor-fillers. Overall, however, it's impossible for anyone to deny the addictive, partially comedic effect the St Louis native has - she's impressively infectious, and clearly here to stay

While Sandé's fifth studio album is, overall, cohesive, the songs themselves are iffy: opening tracks 'All This Love' and 'My Boy Likes To Party' have distinctive high and low points throughout, never reaching the impressive grandeur of earlier hits. Perhaps it is this weakness that hinders her from reaching the same height and popularity she experienced at the time 'Read All About It' and 'Next To Me' dominated the airwaves - her music hasn't gone downhill, exactly, it just never ... read more

Searows' aptitude, both lyrically and vocally, shines throughout the half-hour of his new EP. The tracks throughout are reminiscent of Phoebe Bridgers, a comparison I'm aware will be far from original, but this serves only to enunciate his own talent: being able to emulate the skill, poignancy and soul-shattering emotional sensibility of one of the voices of this generation is something more than impressive

Boycott this loser and anyone who is willing to work with him. Violence against women will never be okay. Love you Rih

At times on 'Quarter Life Crisis' Baby Queen appears to be the Kate Nash of the 2020s (most prominently on highlight 'Grow Up)', and at other times she takes on the role of a South African Olivia Rodrigo (most prominently on 'i can't get my shit together' and the titular track). Overall, the record is modern, impressive and high-quality, even if it does occasionally lean too far into contemporary cliche

Although it gets off to a shaky start, Tamera's 'L.I.T' is, at its best, an impressive exposition. 'Poison', the London-based singer's collaboration with Nigerian star CKay, could be described as a perfect R&B song, while 'Poison' and 'Diversion' continue the EP in similar style and quality. Unfortunately, though, first impressions do matter, and it is 'Anchor', the EP's opening track, which brings it down and holds it back

Across 20 tracks, The Mid Laroi reaches for emotional sensibility but ends up toneless and phlegmatic. The highlights, other than 'BLEED', are typical trap/hip-hop tracks, such as 'WHAT'S THE MOVE?' featuring Future and BabyDrill which ostentatiously brags about sex, women, drugs and money. On the other hand, interludes including 'STRANGERS' and the equally tedious 'STRANGERS PT 2' aim for vulnerability and revelation but are unfortunately devoid of this - maybe it's the ostentatious bragging ... read more

Although these versions are more raw, grungier, and occasionally more interesting than the final product, it's hard to escape the impression that this is just another meaningless cash grab from Sony Music. Tracks such as 'white girl' suffer in particular, while 'cry alone' flourishes - why were those guitars at the end ever cut?

PinkPantheress' first proper album 'Heaven knows' may be shaky at ti es, but it also offers hopeful glimpses into the future of pop music. Layering different genres, sounds and influences, the Somerset-born star cements herself as a pioneering figure capable of simultaneously surprising and satisfying

Unfortunately for the Bradford bassline trio, 'Influential' lacks both the consistency of 'Disrespectful' and the originality of 'Full Wack No Brakes'. Instead, what is provided is a mixed bag which teeters on the energy of earlier sounds, but too often falls into mediocrity. They've got the formula right: enlisting previous collaborators such as Abi Flynn and Local alongside more popular names such as Majestic and Kyla, the latter of which being known for her contribution to Drake’s 2016 ... read more

Marshmello, the producer known primarily for being bland, is seemingly back with another monotonous collection of 'songs', and you guessed it, they're all bland! It appears that Sony Music Latin failed to inform the Philly DJ that ripping off a new genre and enlisting stars such as Nicky Jam and Anuel AA is not quite enough to ensure good quality. The number of streams on some of these degenerate, soulless, dreary tracks is genuinely baffling. Listening to 'Sugar Papi' (awful title, by the way) ... read more

The Struts aimed for 'Pretty Vicious', but ended up viciously dull

This album is... okay. Kevin Abstract has opted to explore new genres and new influences, producing an 'indie rock' record that fails to match the quality of its predecessor 'ARIZONA BABY' and instead comes off as derivative. However, there are moments in which the Texas native does get things right - 'The Greys', for example, is undeniably a highlight and does provide glimpses of excitement, yet this inevitably enunciates the disappointing and dissatisfying aspects of the rest of the album

This EP is genuinely amazing, showcasing a perfect development from her earlier 3. The Dundee-based singer-songwriter is certainly one to watch; hopefully she'll be soundtracking sad girl autumns for years to come