It is rare that a band generates so much buzz before its debut album release, but the noise and potential hype around Airborne Toxic Event's first full-length reflects the excitement of a new band that makes intelligent, great, indie music this well. From Los Angeles, and led by Mikel Jollett, who started out as a fiction writer and freelance writer, Airborne Toxic Event don't do anything new, but what they do is to combine danceable indie (a la Franz Ferdinand) with a laid-back spikiness that makes bands like The Fratellis so interesting. The intensity of the lyrics, and Jollett's vocal delivery, recall a modern version of The Clash or a more fun Joy Division as much as anything. Honestly, there are few rock albums around that are as genuinely knock-down enjoyable as this one. It is inclusive in a way the The Hold Steady haven't managed - fans of bands from Bloc Party to Bruce Springsteen will all find a lot to enjoy in this disc (there are bits of each dropped in throughout). On release in the UK, it should be huge. Album of the week.

ACE rating 9/10

If you can imagine Mark Lanegan fronting a bangra-flavoured rock band, you'll be getting close to this remarkable album's sound. Firewater are the product of main man Tod A's singing and songwriting (and bass playing). Originally a 'supergroup' of indie musicians, Firewater has taken a different form over the course of six studio albums. The Golden Hour takes his experiences from travelling in, and recording in, Thailand, India, Pakistan, Turkey and Indonesia. The blend of Middle Eastern and Asian influences brings a dimension to the rock that feels incongruous at first, but quickly turns to fascination and genuine addiction. The music deploys its hypnotic beat with real power - it is akin to the way that The Pogues drop some Irishness into their punk rock, or Devotchka some Baltic folk. There is political commentary, Jungle Book jazz and occasionally, just occasionally, some Chris Rea rock... This is an album that makes you want to dance, to share its songs with friends. It isn't often you hear something genuinely new and different and great. Go in with your mind open and enjoy the musical journey.

ACE rating 8/10

It wasn't always unusual for a band to release two albums in a year... The Beatles used to release album after album during their peak. A seven piece indie pop band from Cardiff, Los Campesinos! released a wonderful debut album in Hold On Now, Youngster... in February, and this new album started life as a follow-on EP, but quickly blossomed into a 10 song disc. If anything, this disc shows the tremendous jump in maturity that the band have taken in a few short and successful months. The trademark intensely energetic pop is reined in nicely, but is still paired with some general rowdiness - there are cowbells, glockenspiels and cheesy keyboards, and some spicy strings adding lushness to the almost-nihilist lyrics and ADHD girl-boy vocals. If it was that attention deficit that drew you to the debut, We Are Beautiful may be a touch too subdued for you. If you're just a fan of music, it's the better disc.

ACE rating 8/10