Up until now, 2007 had been looking a bit thin on the ground for totally ace new bands, but never fear - Lavender Diamond have arrived like a shaft of summer sunshine on the afternoon of a perfect festival to put that right, the musical equivalent of a picnic basket filled with never-ending strawberries, cream and pink champagne.  Full text...

Imagine Our Love is certainly unlike anything that's ever been on Matador: I don't think there is a plugged-in guitar on any of the album's twelve tracks. But what's electric -- and what makes the album so successful -- is that voice of Stark's and the purely positive worldview she emotes through it.  Full text...

Much easier to love than hate, this is a fine record.  Full text...

Mesmerising debut from lovelorn, folky, Californian band.  Full text...

Though "You Broke My Heart" made for an incredibly solid and self-assured first step, Imagine Our Love finds the band not quite sure how to deliver on their strengths. Which, for all the hype and expectation, is hardly the worst that could happen.  Full text...