Lana Del Rey - Ultraviolence

Recommended by Bex:

Lana Del Rey appears at her most complicated on her second album, Ultraviolence. On the title song, she sings from the throes of a physically abusive relationship. She repeats the title of 'He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss)', a song recorded by The Crystals in 1962.

The album wraps desire, violence and sadness into a tight bundle that Del Rey doesn't always seem sure how to unpack. The slinky standout 'Sad Girl' is essentially Del Rey's theme song: 'I'm a bad girl/I'm a sad girl,' she announces, her voice slipping from childlike coo to sedated swoon.

It's true that much of Ultraviolence, like Born to Die, rams the same sonic guidepost over and over. But Del Rey allows herself to be coaxed into one striking departure, for the single 'West Coast' – a deep groove that kicks her from chanteuse into frontwoman for a few glorious moments.

Kyla La Grange - Cut Your Teeth

Recommended by Bex:

I saw (and met) Kyla at a small gig upstairs in Rise Records around the release of her 2012 debut album Ashes. Two years later, Kyla's second studio album and major debut takes a different direction, hinting at real staying power. It comes preceded by lead single and album title track, 'Cut Your Teeth'.

Teaming up with electro producer and remixer extraordinaire Jakwob for the majority of the record, his credibility with all matters programming evidently provided La Grange with the platform to realise her new musical vision in a fruitful way. See, for example, 'The Knife'.

Mistakenly described as 'brighter' by the accompanying press release, Cut Your Teeth chooses instead to keep its cards close to its chest, at least upon the first meet. The record demands you court it over time in order to even be invited to appreciate the extent of its splendour.

It's also worth checking out her recent cover of 'Wrecking Ball'. Kyla transforms the song from guilty pleasure to subtle indie masterpiece.

Janet Jackson - All for You

Recommended by Bex:

While I was aware of the album around the time of its release, I only listened to it fully this week. Whoa! It has everything you'd expect from a Janet Jackson album - eclecticism, introspective lyrics, big pop dance numbers, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

This is a feel-good album full of funky (and very sensual) pop, with gentle production that sounds fresh and true to form. I would recommend 'When We Oooo', 'China Love' and 'Doesn't Really Matter'.

Foxes - Glorious

Recommended by Bex:

A very consistent album that is more enjoyable with each listen. The song that really struck me, and made me want to discover more, is 'White Coats', for its dooming chorus driven by heavy reverbed piano; similar to Depeche Mode's Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion.

Another great track is the opener 'Talking to Ghosts', which samples Propaganda's 'Dr. Mabuse', serving as an indication of the music that influences Foxes. Also notable is the acoustic album version of 'Clarity', easily an improvement on the release with Zedd.

The only track missing is 'Warrior', from an EP of the same name. In this age of digital music, I added it to the deluxe tracklisting.

Chali 2na - Fish Outta Water

Friend Recommendation:

Fish Outta Water is the debut album by Jurassic 5 front-member Chali 2na. The album guests include Talib Kweli, Anthony Hamilton, Beenie Man, Elzhi, and the brothers Damian and Stephen Marley.

The rhymes are tight as is the level of musicianship displayed. 2na is as true of an artist as there is, even for those that are not fans of hip-hop.

Recommended track: 'So Crazy'.

Ou Est Le Swimming Pool - The Golden Year

Friend Recommendation:

It's impossible to review this London band's debut without acknowledging the recent suicide of frontman Charles Haddon, and yet The Golden Year deserves more than respectful platitudes. In the current climate, their mildly raved-up take on early-80s synth-pop is hardly unprecedented.

But it's the tunes that count: epic but soulful and benefiting from Haddon's ability to cut through the glacially cool electronics with a raw, guileless vulnerability. 'Jackson's Last Stand' and 'Outside', in particular, achieve an exquisite balance between euphoria and melancholy.

Nivea - Nivea

Recommended by Bex:

A few months ago I purchased Nivea's sophomore album Complicated by chance on the high street. The album left a positive impression on me, and I remembered her soulful voice on the R. Kelly collaboration 'Laundromat' (the video is also pretty great).

Nivea experiments with different genres of music, from R&B to pop. The theme of the majority of songs is love and relationships. There are tracks to make you dance, convey feelings, or work through issues with an ungrateful companion: all with an Aaliyah-style edge.