Fall

There’s a certain grim obligation, whenever tackling Steve Mason’s music, to harp on about The Beta Band’s first three EPs, and the distinctly spotty work which has followed them in the intervening 13 years. It’s a lot harder, though, to try and explain exactly why that initial clutch of songs are so much better.

In the wake of loss, a half-whispered lament that's strangely sweet and surprisingly optimistic.

A load of pretty heavy psych’s been accumulating over the last few weeks: new albums from Major Stars (what an amazing guitarist Wayne Rogers is); from both Wooden Shjips and Ripley’s other project, Moon Duo; a cool new (to me, at least) band on No Quarter called Coconuts.

Kasabian, Vampire Weekend also on the shortlist

Engaging portrait of Canvey Island R&B tearaways

Impeccably gauged adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s Pulitzer-winning novel

White Stripes man hints that he may get around to releasing it this year

Albums by Led Zeppelin, Blur, Rolling Stones, New Order feature on new stamps

Proceeds from the untitled album go to Warchild UK

Potent two-disc set of The Mule’s onstage artistry, drawn from his 2008 tours of America and Europe.