Tweet - Simply Tweet

Recommended by Bex:

One of the main things that's always made Tweet a distinctive presence in R&B is that, unlike many other female vocalists, she makes no attempt to sing as forcefully as possible.

So it's surprising that for this EP, Tweet chose to cover a song by a lady who has perhaps the biggest, boldest voice of all time: Aretha Franklin. Impressively, Tweet's version of 'Day Dreaming' compares favourably to the original; her subtle, emotive vocal style perfectly fits the romantic lyrics, and the production values are ahead of those of the '70s version.

Tweet also shines brilliantly on the closing track, a heartbreak song called 'Enough'. On the tune, she calmly lays out her case for calling it quits and manages to come across as weary, but resigned to the fact that the relationship must end.

It's going a little far to say the EP was worth the huge (eight year) wait. But it certainly satisfies the itch to hear new material from her.

Kate Bush - Never for Ever

Recommended by Bex:

It's no secret that my ultimate, all-time favourite vocalist is Kate Bush. If there is a mood or occasion she cannot cater for, I am yet to find it.

All tracks stand out, my current top five being: 'Babooshka', 'Breathing', 'Army Dreamers', 'Violin', 'Egypt' - especially the wailing part.

'Egypt' acts as a bridge between her early, piano-based work and the artistic leaps forward on The Dreaming and Hounds of Love. This was Kate testing the waters as a producer, before she just went for it.

Alanis Morissette - Flavors of Entanglement

Recommended by Bex:

The beauty of the album is that, despite having many things going on all at once, the songs have a base of simplicity. They are catchy while having a certain depth to them too. The guitars are present for older listeners and fans, but they are washed in all kinds of synthesized fun.

Stand out tracks include 'Citizen of the Planet', 'Straitjacket', 'Not as We', 'Tapes', 'Orchid' and 'Limbo No More'. The bonus disc, in particular, contains some of the best work on the album.

Tweet - Southern Hummingbird

Recommended by Bex:

I have always loved this album. I really connected with it years ago but, for reasons unknown, it took me some time to return to it.

'Oops', while brilliant, is one of the weaker tracks in the context of 'Motel', 'Always Will' and 'Smoking Cigarettes'. The main drawback being the listener, inevitably, ponders smoking cigarettes at night!

Birdy - Fire Within

Recommended by Bex:

Birdy began her career doing covers, selling an album purely on her voice and some fantastic production. The fact that she co-wrote, or wrote, every song on Fire Within is testament to her writing skills.

Her voice is haunting, with a maturity beyond her 17 years. It's a production heavy album, and, while impressive that Birdy still shines through it all, the moments where it's just her voice and one other instrument are the most compelling.

DLS vs. SP - Repent Replenish Repeat

Friend Recommendation:

Dan le Sac and Scroobius Pip have combined their considerable individual talents and created an emotional and personal album unconstrained by big label management. There's nothing sanitised or overly produced here, so brace yourself.

Dan's music on its own is spontaneous and playful. However, Pip's spoken words create intimate images and a rare truth that is, at times, shocking but ultimately liberating. 'Stunner' was on YouTube back in August, but final track 'You Will See Me' blows it out of the park.

The music on offer is raw and pure. Perfect for repeat listens.

Fleetwood Mac - Rumours

Friend Recommendation:

Rumours by Fleetwood Mac has taken on a life of its own. Selling over 30 million copies world-wide, it has assiduously worked its way into so many households since its release in February 1977, that it's become part of the sonic furniture.

Musically, there is little fuss, no mess and hardly any waste. If the age was about redundant excess, you are hard pushed to hear any of it on tunes like 'Don't Stop' or especially 'Dreams', which both benefit from incredibly sparing instrumentation – there is so much left out, it makes the tracks seem somehow busier by memory.

It became one of biggest records of all time, providing an antidote to the era while remaining entirely in step with its time. It led the group to make its thoroughly crazy yet quite beautiful follow-up, Tusk in 1979, bereft of the editing and economy that makes Rumours so special.