Five albums to try this week: Trey Songz, George Ezra and more

Lone – Reality Testing (R&S)

Why you should listen: Lone’s Matt Cutler has produced a collection of forward-thinking, textured and often slow-burning dance music tracks on this sixth album.

It might not be for you if… You were never onboard with the ambient electronica thing that the likes of Gold Panda, Mmoths and Apparat have done for the past few years.

What we said: “Reality Testing was supposed to be a slab of upfront dance music, but instead it morphed into something that's more astral than acid,” wrote Lanre Bakare, in the Guardian G2 Film & Music section.

Score: 4/5

The The – Soul Mining: 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (Sony Music CMG)

Why you should listen: In his early twenties, a fresh-faced and dryly witty Matt Johnson put together this eclectic (and slightly MDMA-addled) album of what can most simply be described as post-punk but in fact straddles far more musical references than that.

It might not be for you if… For whatever reason, you’re not up for several of Jools Holland’s boogie-woogie piano solos sprinkled across this record.

What we said: “Over the course of Soul Mining's seven tracks, you variously hear folk fiddles and accordion, the popping basslines of contemporary funk, punishing industrial beats, electronics derived from New York's then current club music – both the post-disco boogie of the Peech Boys and D-Train and the electro of Newcleus and the Jonzun Crew – and African-inspired polyrhythms,” wrote Alexis Petridis, in the Guardian.

Score: 5/5

Trey Songz – Trigga (Atlantic)

Why you should listen: Trey Songz delivers an album of hook-up R&B, referencing just about every sexual innuendo and adventure you can (or would rather not) imagine.

It might not be for you if… You’re firmly Team Drake when it comes to the place where hip-hop meets R&B.

What we said: “It might all feel a little mechanical, but Trigga does hang together, and has a seductive power that (one presumes) is befitting of the man himself,” wrote Paul Macinnes, in the Guardian.

Score: 3/5

George Ezra – Wanted on Voyage (Columbia)

Why you should listen: George Ezra smothers his smooth yet husky baritone all over this album of poppy folk.

It might not be for you if… You can’t keep up with acts like this any longer. Don’t we already have Paolo Nutini?

What we said: “He packs a Harry Potter scar and a set of songs that navigates the cusp where breezy folk-pop – the stuff of lucrative ad syncs – tips over into someone getting murdered scuba diving off the north coast of Belgium,” wrote Kitty Empire, in the Observer New Review.

Score: 3/5

Cerebral Ballzy – Jaded and Faded (Cult)

Why you should listen: If anyone could sculpt Cerebral Ballzy’s frenzied hardcore into something more brooding and mature, it would be TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek. Here, his production keeps the band’s usual chaos intact while bringing in a more diverse sonic palette.

It might not be for you if… You either want the “old” Cerebral Ballzy back, or just aren’t that big into hardcore and shambolic cymbal-crashing anyway.

What we said: “Those wanting exercises in extreme velocity will still get them on Speed Wobbles and Junk Food, but this time speed is a tool rather than a blunt instrument,” wrote Michael Hann, in the Guardian.

Score: 3/5

What about you, then? Hop into the comments section and let us know which albums you’re excited to get stuck into this week.