I was going to listen to the latest album from Jason Aldean, released this week, but then realised it was the second part of a double-album style release, and this, Macon, was the first part. So I dipped back to the first part and quite liked it. The song with Carrie Underwood is the highlight, obviously, and I’m not totally sure I’m happy about the live songs padding out the tracklist (the second album has the same, so why not get rid of that and just release all the songs in one go?) But aside from that, it’s a traditional good ol’ country vibe - man tries to get over loved one with lots of alcohol, and I’m intrigued to listen to the second part.

Pretty good album, this one. I became aware of Maisie from her work on the soundtrack for the TV show Trying and was keen to hear what a full album of her own would be like. She’s supported both in terms of record label and song writing by Ed Sheeran, and you can hear the influences occasionally. But it’s a nice album with songs that speak to certain times in your life - John Hughes Movie and Psycho stick in my mind.

Alicia Keys is legendary already, and every album she comes out with only adds to that status. This one was a bit odd as it’s a double album of originals and then remixes, so I just stuck with the first half - the originals. There are some good songs throughout, although none of them are stand out anthems. You want a bit of Girl on Fire, don’t you? But Keys’s talent shines from start to finish, and even when things get a little bit jazzy, I’m totally on board. Good times.

I always have high expectations of a Bleachers album because of how prolific their lead singer is in other circles. This was another good one, and what a great thing to have Bruce Springsteen featured on one of the tracks. I don’t know that is was hugely memorable, none of the songs specifically stood out, but it was very listenable and made good background music (in the best possible way).

This is a really good album, I was quite surprised. Not because you’d expect anything less from Sting, but sometimes the more modern albums of long-time artists loses a bit of its punch. I liked this one though. It grabs you from the start, sounds like Sting, takes you on that journey, and then leaves you at the other end feeling kinda chill and happy. Nothing to complain about really. Except the one song that is trying too hard to be Shape of My Heart.

I have to hold my hands up and admit, I don’t get why everyone is so crazy about Adele? She is undeniably talented and one of those artists that wears her heart on her sleeve, so to be applauded, for sure. But people go crazy for her and I don’t totally get it. But I couldn’t ignore the new album, being raved about as it was.

The one thing I remember from listening to Fender’s first album is that he sounded a bit like Bruce Springsteen. I think this time round he’s leaned into that quite a lot, but that’s no bad thing - why not emulate the Boss where you can? Fender comes across as an angry young man in this, he has things to say, but it’s not ranty, which is a really fine line to tread. I actually really liked it, despite not knowing any of the songs going into it.

It’s a really odd experience listening to new music from Abba, when they are clearly a band from decades ago and honestly haven’t changed their sound at all. But it’s not a bad thing. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster of an album, dipping into many different genres, mixing up the tempos, and filled with optimism in places alongside what appears to be the depths of despair. A few tracks have stuck with me, including the lead song I Still Have Faith With You, but also Keep An Eye On Dan, which really feels like something we’ve not really heard before. They paint good pictures and keep up the interest, almost storyteller-like, I want to know what happens next. Good stuff!

Ed Sheeran is always very hit and miss for me, and this album pretty much sums up that feeling. The good stuff is great, in fact the first half of the album is really strong, but it does tail off. The slower songs, the heartfelt stuff, are just a bit too syrupy for my taste. A lot of albums recently are super strong at the start but can’t sustain it all the way through, and in this case, Shivers and Bad Habits are the pinnacle, Sandman the opposite end of the scale.

This album is like no time has past and Duran Duran just dipped right back into what they do best. The only time you realise it’s a more up to date album and we aren’t actually back in the 1980s is the couple of guest stars, bonus Tove Lo! I’m not sure any of it leaps off the page and will stick in the memory as much as, for example, Rio, does, but it’s still a really fun listen from start to finish.