Back catalogue: Rock

Review: McCartney III was the18th solo album by legendary musician and former Beatle Paul McCartney. Imagined is the remix version that came digitally back in April and now lands on vinyl. The artists chosen to remix were all selected by McCartney himself and are said to feature "friends, fans, and brand new acquaintances." The record has picked up plenty of positive reviews already and that should be no surprise given the heavyweights included. The likes of Beck, Khruangbin, Dev Hynes, Ed O'Brien, Damon Albarn, Josh Homme, Anderson .Paak, Robert Del Naja, and Idris Elba all make for a contemporary mix with diverse results.

Review: In 1962, a chance convergence of historical contingencies in Dartford, Kent, would set the stage for the formation of one of the world's best-known rock and roll bands, The Rolling Stones. After Mick Jagger and Keith Richards took inspiration from rock icons Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley, not to mention the comparatively sentimental Chicago blueses of Brian Jones and Ian Stewart, the group's had laid the mac for their own sound. The Rolling Stones' love for early blues legends would define their success; this compilation The celebrates those roots, from Muddy Waters' 'Just Want to Make Love to You' through to Chuck Berry's 'Memphis, Tennessee' and Robert Johnson's 'Love In Vain'. Special bonus tracks include the jazz-infused 'Key To The Highway' by Jazz Gillum, further proving Jagger and company's far-reaching inspirations.

Review: Matthew Sweet's ambitious tribute to The Beatles' 'Abbey Road' for Cleopatra Records is a bold and reimagining of the music of the great band. Durga McBroom's haunting rendition of 'Come Together' stands out, Vulfpeck's Charles Jones transforms 'Something' into a soulful gem, while Roger Manning Jr's take on 'Maxwell's Silver Hammer' feels retro yet enjoyable. The medley, featuring diverse talents like Patrick Moraz and Rick Wakeman, offers more great moments that culminate in a surprising rendition of 'Her Majesty'. While not surpassing the originals, this tribute captures moments of brilliance that will appeal to open-minded listeners.

Review: NOW - Yearbook 1977 takes us back to a diverse and vibrant year in pop with 80 tracks across 4 CDs, presented in a special hardback edition with a 28-page booklet. The collection opens with Queen's iconic anthem 'We Are The Champions' and continues with hits like Status Quo's 'Rockin' All Over The World' and Elvis Presley's posthumous #1 'Way Down'. Punk and new wave shine on Disc Two with The Clash's 'White Riot', The Ramones' 'Sheena Is A Punk Rocker' and Elvis Costello's 'Watching The Detectives'. Other highlights include Paul Simon, Santana and the Yes ballad 'Wonderous Stories'. Disco dominates Disc Three, with Donna Summer's groundbreaking'I Feel Love', Boney M's debut 'Daddy Cool' and Chic's infectious 'Dance, Dance, Dance'. Soul classics from Marvin Gaye, Deniece Williams, and The Commodores' "Easy" round out this era-defining section. The final disc features Paul McCartney & Wings' mega-hit 'Mull of Kintyre' alongside smooth pop from Olivia Newton-John, Billy Ocean's 'Red Light Spells Danger' and easy-listening staples like Manhattan Transfer's 'Chanson D'Amour'. The collection closes on a nostalgic note with Mike Oldfield's 'Portsmouth' and the Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band's 'The Floral Dance'. A superb celebration of one of pop music's most exciting years.

Review: It should take about two seconds to realise, if you didn't already know, that Eddie Vedder is the voice of Pearl Jam, one of the finest rock bands to come out of the US in the late stages of the 20th Century, and one of the outfit's four (yes, four) guitarists. Ranked by none other than Rolling Stone magazine as the seventh finest lead singer of all time, it's safe to say he's the kind of pedigree you want to venture out as a soloist.

Now four albums in his own name deep, Earthling may not be rewriting any rule books or pushing boundaries and our perception of what's possible, but it is an incredibly well conceived and executed heavy rock 'n' roll album, showcasing a man with seemingly infinite creative energy, here unleashing a combination of heartfelt alt, breakneck garage-grunge, and searing big room stuff that you'll struggle to forget after hearing just once. Songwriting and guitar work at their finest.