Pop/Chart
Pet Shop Boys – Format
Confirms that Tennant and Lowe have always been songwriters first and pop stars second.
Emeli Sandé – Our Version of Events
A charming and occasionally moving record full of care and polish, effort and grace.
Goldfrapp – The Singles
The most versatile and glitteringly brilliant pop band of our new millennium.
Lana Del Rey – Born to Die
Intelligent, ambitious and brilliantly realised, Born to Die defies any backlash.
Maverick Sabre – Lonely Are the Brave
Part of a crowd rather than a true Maverick, this singer nevertheless charms in measures.
Juan Zelada – High Ceilings & Collarbones
A decent debut from the Spanish singer, but one unlikely to linger in the memory.
Michael Bublé – Christmas
Fans already know they?re going to love this; those unmoved by Bublé in the past, won?t.
The Feeling – Singles 2006-2011
A band with a seemingly effortless knack for a pop hook.
Olly Murs – In Case You Didn?t Know
Revels in its approachable, unashamed pop goodness.
Amy Winehouse – Lioness: Hidden Treasures
A dignified reminder of Winehouse?s talent ? but what more could she have achieved?
Rebecca Ferguson – Heaven
An impressive debut album with the focus firmly on Ferguson’s great voice.
The Saturdays – On Your Radar
As much of a nuisance as a neighbour?s car alarm blaring away at 3am.
Gorillaz – The Singles Collection 2001-2011
No more cartooning around from Damon Albarn.
Lady Gaga – Born This Way: The Remix
Offers enough revelations to suggest the original album is worth revisiting.
Finley Quaye – Maverick a Strike
A debut full of quirkiness, sophistication and well-written tunes.
Rihanna – Talk That Talk
Drearily sexual lyricism over showy but shallow production dominates RiRi?s sixth LP.
Kelly Rowland – Here I Am
An album of two halves ? even if its better one is something of a grab-bag of club cuts.
Westlife – Greatest Hits
The curtain is finally closing for real ? no more key changes, no more stools.
Oh Land – Oh Land
Danish singer is great at borrowing from modern pop, though less so at being herself.
JLS – Jukebox
There?s a decent pick’n'mix of ear candy on the boys? third album.
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