With contributions from Kae Tempest, Sampha and Tirzah among others, the debut album from what can only be described as a supergroup is innovative, mesmerising and purely brilliant

Unfortunately, Sophie Ellis-Bextor's seventh studio album falls almost completely flat. There'll certainly be no murdering on any dancefloors if this average-at-best collection of songs is the only way the Hounslow star can continue her legacy

I've never been a fan of Foo Fighters, but this album may be the one to change that. Previously to 'But Here We Are', if you'd have asked me my opinion on the Washington band I'd have responded disparagingly, believing them to be a huge step down for Dave Grohl after Nirvana. However, after the tragedy of Taylor Hawkins' death, the group return even stronger for it, with new fire and defiant jubilance across 10 stellar tracks

He might be a twat, but at least he's a twat that makes decent music. 'Council Skies', while forgettable in places, is the closest thing to achievement that Noel Gallagher has reached in his post-Oasis career. Neither Liam or Noel have become renowned for innovation in recent years, but here Noel and his High Flying Birds have constructed a solid piece of work worthy of praise, with the help of David Holmes

Purr deserve so much more credit for what they do. 'Who Is Afraid of Blue?' reinforces the reasons why they should be on top of the alternative world, and suggests that it's only a matter of time until this happens

The Royston Club's 'Shaking Hips and Crashing Cars' may consist mainly of cuts from previous EP, but amazingly this does not take away from the album as a whole. This is a stellar debut from the Wrexham boys, and cements them as one of the best indie bands around right now

Something seems off, and whatever that may be it's preventing this short EP from being anywhere near as good as his two studio albums

This is a collection of highs and lows. BEA's voice is incredible, and flecked with enough emotion so that songs on this EP such as 'Sweet Adolescence' can bring a tear to one's eye. She also sounds confident and seasoned enough that it's almost impossible to believe that this is only her second EP, although this only provides a testament to the potential she is sure to live up to in future. However, here that potential is not fully realised, leaving in its absence some disappointing moments ... read more

This is not the same Kodak Black that featured on 'Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers', which was undeniably 2022's rap album of the year. This Kodak Black sounds uninspired, and can't seem to properly execute the ideas he does have, although this isn't unexpected considering 'Pistolz & Pearlz' is the Florida rapper's 17th extended project in 9 years, and he isn't helped by the horrible mixing that's been applied

Aside from a few highlights, 'Til the Wheels Fall Off' is a painfully mediocre pop-punk album from the Liverpudlians. The only thing impressive about this is the faux American accent à la Tom DeLonge that the singer adopts - a Scouse voice must be too unconventional for a genre dominated by California

Alice Auer's voice is comforting, calming and cosy, although her lyrics often rely on cliché

This album is nowhere near as bad as reviews would suggest. Louis has the potential, and while the execution is lacking for the most part, it isn't offensive despite its apparent mediocrity

Even though 'Petals to Thorns' has twice as many singles as new tracks, it showcases d4vd's undeniable talent and potential, boasting viral hits such as 'Here With Me' and 'Romantic Homicide' alongside lesser known, perhaps even greater cuts such as 'Don't Forget About Me' and 'You And I'

This might just be the best rap album of 2023. Hitting hard in both ways, 'The Village Is On Fire' is a brilliant piece of work from the London legend, turning the focus onto himself to examine racially motivated violence and his own experiences with police failings for black people

'Winter Season' ends a very long month of Yin Yang Tapes, and unsurprisingly has very little merit. Here's to hoping that Ruby and $crim go back to what they do best in future

Difficult second album? Arlo Parks says no. 'My Soft Machine' is brilliantly uplifting, leaning more into positive experience than 'Collapsed in Sunbeams' even when the Londoner retains the intense personal touch that has made her loveable, relatable and sincere

An outstanding second EP from the self-professed Nottingham 'post-something' group. Blending the infectious instrumentation of bands such as Courting with witty, socially aware lyrics of bands such as Yard Act, Cucamaras establish themselves as the future of alternative music

Samara Joy has a wonderful voice that captures the essence of her predecessors, but one can't help but feel that this album is an inauthentic imitation of her old-timey influences

A return to mediocre dubstep for Skrillex, a Kodak Black collab with Jimin of BTS, and a cash-grabbing posthumous appearance from Biggie spells a poor, forgettable soundtrack typical of the Fast & Furious franchise

Lambrini Girls debut EP perfectly sets them up for a prime position in the riot grrrl revival, presenting 6 socially aware, politically active and musically invigorating tracks