Kasabian - Velociraptor! (2011)

7/10  

Kasabian can't go wrong with more electronic-tinged madness

Among Kasabian’s claims earlier this year were that this album “will change your life” and be “the greatest ever”. Clearly, they’re not short on confidence, and their bravado happily transcends into their music.

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues (2011)

Fleet Foxes return with a work of almost unparalleled beauty

9/10 

After the success of their self-titled debut album, Seattle’s Fleet Foxes are back with more of their baroque, old-worldly magic. Once again, the level of craft in the record is astonishing; I’m not even going to try to name all of the instruments they use, or pretend that I immediately got the references to Yeats, but it’s fair to say that the arrangement and lyricism in parts of this album touch upon mastery.

Friendly Fires - Pala (2011)

Too much of Friendly Fires' second effort fails to inspire

6/10  

Pulling out of the shadow of nu-rave, the Friendly Fires come back with the lush-sounding, dancey Pala. But while the band have definitely got a clear vision of what they’re doing, it comes across as a bit predictable and unimaginative.