What are the hottest albums out right now? Liselle runs us through the best new releases this month including the latest from the Black Eyed Peas and Incubus...

Little Boots Hands
This is the fancy champagne of pop albums - classy, bubbly and makes any party go off with a bang (and everybody likes it, if not a little guiltily). Little Boots makes perfect pop with an edge. With the old school sass of the Spice Girls and cred of a speckled musical background – punk, jazz, prog and even Pop Idol - she has emerged on the other side with a tinge of uniqueness that’s just enough to distinguish her from the Lady Gagas and Kelly Clarksons of the world.

While there is a couple of notably weaker tracks, on the large part the album continues in the fun buzz of singles 'New In Town' and 'Remedy'. No doubt, there are many more chart clubbers to come from this girl.

Kasabian West Ryder Lunatic Asylum
Kasabian have always been of the cocksure, f-you rock’roll variety. Third album rolls round, and they’re still bringing that swagger; but in a completely different way. West Ryder Lunatic Asylum is a more in-depth album, a bit quieter in places, tamer drums, more focus on vocals, still ballsy, still arrogant, but with a whole new approach (but keeping with some old habits ala the dance-rock chorus of ‘Fire’). 

It’s the sound of the past and present merging with the inklings of a 60s acid record - shambling, psychedelic rock – and while, as an album, this lack of order initially sounds disjointed, it actually turns out to be one of its strengths. There’s some sort of authenticity found in the messiness - tidy and psychedelic just aren’t that good-a friends. The overall effect of this literal change of tune is an exciting one. Where most bands are sticking to their guns in trying music times, this was a ballsy move and one that seems to have paid off for them.

Incubus Monuments and Melodies
After 18 years of gracing the airwaves, a greatest hits was inevitable. With two CDs, 26 tracks, lots of oldies and a couple of newbies, you’re certainly getting your money’s worth. Disc one has all the favourites, ‘Are You In’, ‘Drive’, ‘Nice to know You’, the singles list goes on, while disc two is chock-full of b-sides, unreleased and new material. This is a great nostalgic album, but don’t get your hopes too high for that new material. Somewhat theatrical and overblown, it feels more like the low point of the album than something exciting and fresh.
 
There’s no surprises or gimmicks; that’s not what a greatest hits is about, but Incubus have some timeless hits that if you don’t already own, are well worth adding to the collection.

The Black Eyed Peas The E.N.D
The Black Eyed Peas return with a commitment to the clubs, to the parties, to creating music with more focus on bleeps and beeps than substance. The furtherest they’ve ventured from traditional hip-hop, the BEP are not at their funkiest on this album. In fact, The E.N.D (a clever acronym meaning Energy Never Dies) is more a messy pop/dance/rap crossover with singles ‘Boom Boom Pow’ and ‘I Gotta Feeling’ a little too indicative of what you’re in for.

Going a little nuts with all those blips and beeps, heavily embracing the auto tuner and overworking the synth, this album feels more made for DJs than fans. Whatever made them substantial and interesting in the past is somewhat lost, but if all you care about is dancing, then this album still holds something for you. Click here to join the NZ Black Eyed Peas fan site to get exclusive info on the band and chances to win some pretty choice BEP prizes exclusive to NZ fans!

WIN: We've got five copies of The E.N.D to give away to some lucky nzgirls! Get in the draw by typing 'Black Eyed Peas' into the 'I Want to Win' button at the bottom of the page.

The Gossip Music For Men: Check out the pipes on this chick. Gossip front woman Beth Ditto proves she’s killer with a mic, delivering on some soulful, razor sharp and mischievous vocals/lyrics. She sure knows how to belt them out. Bringing the mosh pit to the dance floor or vice versa, Music for Men combines dance elements with a punk bite while still maintaining a nous for a good pop song. Aural pleasure ensues. While the strengths on the large part seem to jump from one song to another, there are a couple of lagging moments where more weight is needed for the album to really hold its own.

WIN: We’ve got five copies of Music For Men to give away! To get yourself in the draw just click on the ‘I Want to Win’ button at the bottom of the page and enter the word ‘Gossip’!

Liselle