Father of the Bride

Bon Iver's fourth album moved from a Wisconsin studio to a Texas pecan farm, took in dozens of friends and kept Justin Vernon's voice at the front.

After her 2018 turns on Kanye West's Ye, 070 Shake made her debut with Dave Hamelin and Mike Dean, and chose to leave it rough. Mostly, that pays off.

Robyn's first album since Body Talk came out of grief, therapy and nights in clubs. Its parts are standard club-pop; her voice, writing and editing make them hers.

Natalie Mering's Sub Pop debut swapped garage takes for strings and tape loops, and used the Titanic and its film to write about climate, cinema and love.

Beck and Greg Kurstin set out to make a classic pop record. Colors has the craft and a few fine songs, but it gives up his character for the gloss of 2017 pop.

Jorja Smith built her debut from songs she wrote between 16 and 20, with “Blue Lights” at its centre. It is poised and well sung, but rarely stands apart from 2018 R&B.