It’s finally here. We’ve waited long enough – well only since 2008 when Viva la Vida was released – now Coldplay’s new album Mylo Xyloto is here.

Regular readers of Express & Star’s The Ticket supplement will have spotted our near-on obsession with the man legend that is Example.

Touted as the next big thing on the chillwave scene, you could be forgiven for not knowing who or what Washed Out is – or that there is such a scene as chillwave.

Following the disappointment of Humbug, Arctic Monkeys need a return to form to win back some of the fans disappointed by their foray into the dark world of desert rock.

Remarkably, Gaga has out-Madonna-ed Madonna on this monstrous pop record that consolidates her position as the world’s unrivalled queen of pop.

Seattle-based rock/folk sextet Fleet Foxes have enjoyed a slow-burn success. Their earliest recordings were released without fanfare and they enjoyed a slow but steady rise, prompted by a word-of-mouth recommendation.

The back story to The Fall is simple: Damon Albarn wrote it to save himself from madness. During Gorillaz’ 2010 American tour, he decided to give himself something useful to do: rather than simply starting at walls or looking out of the windows of his tour bus, he wrote a record.

Second albums are never easy. Chipmunk, however, is an exception to that rule and his rise and rise will continue unabated.

These days, it’s difficult to re-imagine Dave Grohl as the one-time drummer with Nirvana. The gangly, long-haired sticksman with Kurt Cobain’s iconic grunge trio has morphed into the world’s best Rock God.

Euphoric/Heartbreak is the sound of a band growing up and taking flight. Glasvegas’ auspicious 2008 debut, championed by Alan McGee, the man who found Oasis, marked the Glaswegians out as a special talent.

We’ve been there through the heartbreaks and hang-ups, watched her very public growing up and observed the near meltdowns of 2007. From Mickey Mouse club to sex symbol, from single mum to hospital case; we’ve been there and seen that.

There’s nothing shiny, glossy or manufactured about The Naked & Famous. The band’s sound is raw, noisy and has a carefree edge.