June's Big Albums

Traditionally, album releases tail off in June as the festival season gets under way. While this remains the case with the very biggest names, it seems as though the opposite is true of hotly-tipped new kids on the block.

Little Boots, Daniel Merriweather, Frankmusik, and La Roux all release their debuts this month, while Paolo Nutini, Paul Potts, and Enter Shikari unleash what they hope won't be that old music cliché, the 'difficult second album'.

Elsewhere, Gossip and Regina Spektor could be on the brink of crossover success, Ashley Tisdale and the Jonas Brothers fly the flag for anodyne pop, and Steel Panther roar into view

1. June's Big Albums Daniel Merriweather - Love & War

Release date: June 1
The name might not ring a bell but you've probably heard his voice. Remember Mark Ronson's cover of Stop Me by The Smiths? That was Mr Merriweather on vocals. The press release describes Love & War as "an anthemic psyched out acoustic folk record fuelled by the fires of Motown and Stax, with a heart the size of Alaska." We're not exactly sure what that means but first single Red went straight into the top five, so things are looking good.

2. June's Big Albums - Paolo Nutini - Sunny Side Up

Release date: June 1
The Scottish-Italian heartthrob returns with an album full of grooves so rustic and old-school, you can't help but suspect it's a deliberate attempt to shake off the teenyboppers and be seen as a 'serious' artist. Is that the sound of nervous record company executives biting their nails?