Air: Talkie Walkie (EMI)
Parisians Jean-Benoit Dunckel and Nicolas Godin, the eclectic duo known as Air, are back with a new release. The guitar work stands out to draw you into a world of play — from the eager footsteps of Universal Traveller to the talk of space travel in Surfin’ on a Rocket. Talkie Walkie will have you talking less and walking more through a maze of ethereal piano and gentle guitars as the album makes a return to Air’s earlier, organic, less experimental period. — Nadia Neophytou
Dead Prez: RGB (Revolutionary But Gangsta) (Sony)
There’s something very curse-of-the-second-album about Dead Prez’s RGB even though it isn’t the duo’s follow-up to their much-hailed debut, Let’s Get Free. Officially, it is, although it follows on from the underground release Turn off the Radio. M1 and Stic say this album is a shift from the world politics of Let’s Get Free to hood and street knowledge. But with its lyrical drive-bys and ganja haze, it is more gangsta than revolutionary. — NN
Hanson: Underneath (David Gresham)
The most irritating teen act of all time are back. But don’t just groan and throw this one in the yard-sale basket. Perseverance pays off, it seems, and Underneath is a sometimes middling but appropriately catchy collection of pop-rock numbers, with the Hanson brothers’ voices (and songwriting skills) having benefited from a healthy dose of hormones since their MMMBop days. — Riaan Wolmarans
Alanis Morissette: So-Called Chaos (Gallo)
There’s nothing chaotic about Morissette’s fourth full-length offering. It’s actually a rather solidly put together, well-produced album — and hey, she’s not angry anymore. She is now calmly seeing the humour in it all, because So-Called Chaos is, believe it or not, quite witty (if wordy). Oh, and the enhanced CD has lots of cool extras on it, not that that is unusual these days. — RW
Keri Noble: Fearless (EMI)
At first glance, Keri Noble’s CD looks like that of another popstar wannabe. While this artist is not afraid to revel in the genre, she does not seem to be in it for the pop-star status. The debut album from this pastor’s daughter from Michigan reveals a love for the subtle power of song. Her voice is, at times, reminiscent of early Sarah McLachlan but as she adds those candles to her birthday cake, she will no doubt come more into her own. A beautiful voice and lyrics that don’t claim to be more than what they are: her life experiences and an attempt to fulfil the album’s title. — NN
Various: Big Black Presents Love Stories Book 1 (David Gresham)
Love is in the air and it’s soulful and seriously seductive with romantic ruminations from the likes of Aaliyah, Glenn Lewis, the Tony Rich Project, PM Dawn and our own TK. Not a ground-breaking compilation, but it’ll go well with a candlelit dinner. — RW
Various: Kiss FM Volume 4 (David Gresham)
An eclectic but highly entertaining mix by Manuel Oettl, who throws in a range of beats, from Junior Jack to Niels van Gogh and the Boogie Pimps. Little substance, but lots of fun. — RW
Various: Monster Hits 2004 (Gallo)
You don’t want all the songs on this album (except if you believe Whigfield really deserves a second chance). However, the mix included here of Kelis’s Milkshake, as well as hits by NERD, Punk Division and the Basement Jaxx will raise the dust on any dance floor. Play it, but keep a finger on the skip button. — RW
Various: Best of Acoustic (Just Music)
There is nary an Eric Clapton song in sight on this well-planned double CD, despite its rather naff title. Drift away to Radiohead, Beth Orton, Mazzy Star, the Cowboy Junkies, Ryan Adams and Badly Drawn Boy on disc one (which has a more contemporary, slightly alternative feel) or get a fix of Nitin Sawhney, the great Katie Melua, Mercury Rev and Edie Brickell on disc two. Here and there the pace is a too slow, but overall it is a winner. — RW