The Fratellis
Here We Stand

What's the story? As The Fratellis told ZOO, "No song in 10 years has embedded itself in British society like Chelsea Dagger." The relentless "doo-da-doo"s of the Scot rockers' breakthrough hit have left an imprint on footie terraces and dancefloors nationwide, but that's still a bold claim. A boldness evident in their follow-up to Costello Music.

Why buy it? Mindful of their shiny, hit-laden debut, this is a conscious attempt to hammer home their indie credentials. But scuzzing things up and unplugging on the odd track can't disguise the band's DNA. Almost despite themselves, they've produced a showy, old-fashioned rock album, complete with monster chant-ready choruses. Which may disgruntle the band, but we're chuffed to have them back. Four stars.

Download: A Heady Tale and Shameless

Lykke Li
Youth Novels
The most exciting female discovery of the year. And by some distance. Possibly hand-crafted in a pop lab to appeal to everyone, she's a 22-year-old Swede armed with tales of thwarted lust, a brittle, bittersweet voice, and this: a perfectly-realised debut LP that fidgets, throbs and grinds its way through 14 tracks. Snobs will call this a great "pop" album, but it's not - it's a great album, full stop. Five stars.

Download: Little Bit and Breaking It Up.

Ed Banger Records
Vol III: To Protect And To Entertain
Musical showboating from the coolest dance label in the world. You'll know the Paris imprint's reigning electro kings, Justice, but the vast majority of the roster may require an introduction. Which this compilation does perfectly. It's a flashy, furious blitz of guitars, beats and rhymes. Four stars.

Download: Mr Flash - Over The Top and Justice - Stress.

Singles

1 WE ARE SCIENTISTS - CHICK LIT
Californians who are slowly becoming a quirky, adopted British institution. And rightly so. Their latest move into Hot Chip-esque indie-dance is another gear-shifting romp.

2 GNARLS BARKLEY - GOING ON
Another perfect OutKast-style anthem from the Crazy fat-man of pop and his accomplice Danger Mouse. All obese people should be trained to sing like this. Perhaps in a special centre.

3 THE DUKE SPIRIT - MY SUNKEN TREASURE
Its parent album Neptune is our pick for '08's most inexcusably ignored CD. This comes with doo-wop harmonies Mark Ronson would get all giggly over, further enhancing their sinister-indie appeal.

4 THE TEENAGERS - MAKE IT HAPPEN
The muckiest non-teens in music come over all High School prom, summoning the spirit of '80s power ballads and cranking up the synths.

5 THE BLACK ANGELS - SCIENCE KILLER
They've side-stepped their usual retro-rock approach in favour of something more dancefloor-friendly. Which somehow hits the mark.

6 THE HERBALISER FEAT. JESSICA DARLING - CLAP YOUR HANDS
The soul collective return with a foot-tappable workout. Decent party track.

7 KID CARPET - I DON'T WANT TO FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU
DIY Fisher Price pop that packs considerable charm, but is slightly tainted by a mindfully grouchy vocal.

8 FRANKMUSIK - IN STEP
This 22-year-old fashions his own brand of whirlwind, glistening pop. For now, we're unmoved, but are expecting big things.

9 LAURA MARLING - CROSS YOUR FINGERS/CRAWLED OUT OF THE SEA
Possessing that "indie girl we kinda fancy" look can't rescue Laura's girly sixth-form poetry. "Toes" and "blow" do not rhyme. Sorry.

10 SONNY J - HANDSFREE (IF YOU HOLD MY HAND)
Will inevitably soundtrack a shitty car advert. Possesses all the elements: a lazy soul sample, repetitive tune and the potential to be massive.

ONE TO AVOID

CHRIS BROWN - FOREVER
If diddling Rihanna wasn't enough, there's his day job to worry about: peddling sub-Usher chart twaddle.