- In more ways than one Ella Haber appears fully formed, on her debut EP. Clay is a record that delivers -unlike most jazz vocal wannabes- a voice that is both silky and strong. It’s as much a soul sound as a jazz one, always pushing power through the classic inflections and adding just enough acrobatic, modern r’n’b. Behind the voice is an old soul, too, choosing not only a breakup record for her debut, but being pretty grownup about it. You can hear why Jordan Rakei jumped on board to produce and help bring this record into the world.

- If there’s one thing that became clear after video was published of Lizzo twerking and playing the flute on tour, it’s that she won’t be confined to one trick. The artist’s second full-length album begins as she intends to continue it. “I’m crying ‘cause I love you”, she belts before a big brass fill, which mimics the drop of red velvet curtains, unveiling the spectacle to follow.

- I Need A New War is the third solo album from Craig Finn, lead singer of much-loved classic rock storytellers The Hold Steady. The Hold Steady these days are only an occasional concern - sporadically releasing online singles and playing gigs. Finn though remains prolific, as three solo albums in four years attests to.

- It’s a new album from New Zealand singer/songwriter Aldous Harding, so we’re in for another collection of offbeat folk-rock with a haunting, even disquieting undercurrent. The eagle-eyed have already spotted first single The Barrel and will be pleased to know the record just gets more expansive and adventurous from there. Yet this is also Harding’s most approachable collection of songs to date.

- The religious album has a well established place in rock ’n’ roll lore. Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Van Morrison have all released albums of praise and joy. It’s only reasonable, that after various bands and two acclaimed records to his own name, that Kevin Morby would release his own take on our spiritual availability.

- Vulture Street Tape Gang have released their debut album on Wondercore Island, titled Mature Themes For Childish People. The group consists of the combined talents of Mike Medleycott on keys, Myka Wallace on drums and the vocals of Lachlan James Mitchell. Together they’ve produce a varied but polished debut of individualistic, soulful tracks.

- Ioanna Gika has been providing the big voice that fronts LA-based dream-pop band IO Echo for the last half a decade. IO Echo, a collaborative project with Leopold (brother of Atticus) Ross is still plodding along in its muted, gothic industrial manner, but Ioanna clearly has greater ambitions than adding colour to that livid background.