1. Mastodon – Your Ghost Again
Mastodon have returned with a warm, lush, heartfelt tribute to Brent Hinds. Drummer Brann Dailor says that part of the inspiration came from the feeling during recording that he could see his friend out of the corner of his eye. It's as powerful as heart-shaking as you expect such a thing to be.
2. South Arcade – DEADMEAT
What's this? South Arcade with a massive bop that mainlines loads of '90s jams and turns it all into a massive, colourful, sunny bop? COLOUR US SHOCKED. This is going to slap at Download next weekend.
3. As It Is – Live, Laugh, Love, Los Angeles
Springsteen-y bit alert! As It Is sound distinctly more New Jersey than LA here, but that's no bad thing. Also, if Patty Walters doesn't have that title stencilled on his sitting room wall in gold copperplate he's missing a trick.