Some people would have you believe January is a dry month for new music, as both artists and labels take a breather following their festive bonanzas. Normally, however, the truth could scarcely be more different - and recent weeks have proved as much, with a spate of superb new records seeing 2024 off to a stellar start!

Throughout the year, we'll be ending each month by highlighting 10 of our favourite albums released during that stretch (plus a further bunch of honourable mentions). These could be by anybody from international superstars, music legends and cult heroes to local acts, under the radar standouts and virtual unknowns. No genres are discounted. Nobody has time to listen to everything which hits our racks, but if we've heard it, it's considered!

Of course, music is subjective and these are merely our personal picks (your own may be very different!). Rather than state what is and isn't good, the aim of these round-ups is to shine a light on records we feel are worthy of your ears - and perhaps nudge you in the direction of gems your may otherwise have missed.

Happy listening!

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