BJORK
Volta
(Universal)

Few pop figures are more polarizing than Icelandic sprite Björk, and for the most part I’ve been in the “love to hate” contingent. But notwithstanding the bizarre fashion statement that she has adorned the album with, Volta is surprisingly accessible. Thanks are due to hip-hop producer Timbaland, who provides his trademark syncopations to three songs, including the throbbing manifesto “Declare Independence.” Björk meditates on being a parent in “I See Who You Are,” in which she contemplates the inevitability of death. As usual she seems a bit too enamored of her own amazingly supple voice, but this time the flights of fancy are forgivable. DG

SERENA-MANEESH
Serena-Maneesh
(Hostess)

Norway’s Serena-Maneesh (roughly “veiled stage”) take the ethereal aesthetics we’ve grown to expect from Scandinavian bands like Sigur Rós, and filter them through venerable guitar-noise influences ranging from Sonic Youth to Spiritualized. Frontman Emil Nikolaisen is a grungy, ghostly musical presence, bemoaning consumerism in “Drain Cosmetics” and casting an eerie spell with the delicate psychedelia of “Sapphire Eyes.” Instruments ranging from the vibraphone to the flute, cello, violin and marimba add texture and interest on what could have been (and in parts still is) just another outing of meandering shoegazer noise-rock. DG

KOU SHIBASAKI
Kiki
(Universal)

Primarily an actress who has earned great critical acclaim for her roles in “Battle Royale” and “House of Himiko,” Shibasaki’s singing career stalled when her second album flopped in 2005. Her again-rising star status has brought us Kiki, an album that struggles to make the impression of her celluloid appearances. Standout “Regret,” with its funky bassline and Herbie Hancock-esque support, has character lacking in the four singles present here—one wonders if Shibasaki is playing it safe or just unsure of her musical identity. Vocally, Shibasaki also lacks distinction, yet fans needn’t be completely discouraged, since she avoids forced variation and sticks to understated pop-ballad material well within her range. Robert Poole

MANIC STREET PREACHERS
Send Away The Tigers
(Epic)

Once upon a time in the ’90s, Manic Street Preachers had something important to say. They were full of rhetoric, knew how to write anthems, had an opinion and weren’t afraid to share it. Sadly, over the course of their last two releases they lost their spark and became—well—average. This album marks a relieving move back towards their glory days with the likes of energetic anthems-in-the-making “Your Love Alone Is Not Enough” and “Autumn Song,” showing glimmers of what once made them potential world-beaters. This is the sound of a band that, despite having gone a little wayward, have rediscovered a rock ‘n’ roll formula that never should have been tampered with. Mark Butterworth


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