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Beyoncé  Cowboy Carter

As both a treatise and a sonic testament, ‘COWBOY CARTER’ is its own triumph; unmoored in form, space and time, it’s the work of a preternatural talent painstakingly poring over every word, stratified vocal, sample and stylistic flourish Clash

Vampire Weekend  Only God Was Above Us

Only God Was Above Us feels like a record made by a band once more comfortable in their skins. Print edition only Mojo

Vampire Weekend  Only God Was Above Us

It would all be so much showing-off if the narrative ache Koenig displays wasn't so palpable, and the craft wasn't so meticulous. Print edition only Uncut

English Teacher  This Could Be Texas

There are surprises everywhere. While "R&B" and "Nearly Daffodils" are sprightly, irreverent post-punk, the influence of Black Country, Nee Road nd Radiohead are evident on the complex, proggy title track and the diverse, hushed final third of the album. Print edition only Uncut

Porij  Teething

A confident debut that acts as both the party and the comedown DIY

Porij  Teething

The quartet's debut album sees them striving not to retread old material – and adds more emotion and texture to their uptempo sound NME

Porij  Teething

Porij’s confident and assured debut delves into their love for not settling for one genre. Taking you on an adventure through emotions and soundscapes, it’s a fluid record that never stands still The Line Of Best Fit

Porij  Teething

Porij haven’t just cut their teeth here; they’ve gone straight for the jugular, torn it to shreds, and now reign victorious Dork

Porij  Teething

The Manchester band sing about edginess and emotional danger, but never manage to give their beats any tension The Guardian

Beyoncé  Cowboy Carter

The Age of Pleasure could have been made by an artist other than Janelle Monáe, but there’s no way COWBOY CARTER could have been made by anyone other than Beyoncé. We’re lucky to have her No Ripcord

Cloud Nothings  Final Summer

From the moment it starts to its very last note, Final Summer comes rich with gargantuan hooks that make you feel alive No Ripcord

Justice  Hyperdrama

The French electronic titans’ fourth album is sleekly aerodynamic, expensively appointed, and stacked with bold-name guests like Tame Impala and Thundercat. If only there were some real drama Pitchfork

St. Vincent  All Born Screaming

On All Born Screaming, St. Vincent suggests the end of life is really just a new beginning. Love is the purpose. There is no joy without pain PopMatters

St. Vincent  All Born Screaming

It’s music that evokes the terror we all share in just being alive, and the way that fighting through it is a form of constant rebirth we all share, too. That’s the kind of truth this album excavates and celebrates many times, and why this is some of Annie Clark’s most satisfyingly urgent music yet Rolling Stone

St. Vincent  All Born Screaming

Rich in Rid Of Me-era PJ Harvey distortion and sludgy guitars straight from Seattle The Arts Desk