Each week we’ll take a quick look at 5 new releases, the good, the bad and the ugly in an effort to keep you up to date with the crazy amount of music that is coming out…

1. Due for release on March 20, The Sleeper is the debut album from England’s Leisure Society who have been garnering some some plaudits from the likes of Brian Eno and Guy Garvey (Elbow).

They are a more folk-ified Arcade Fire with all manner of stringed instruments like ukelele, mandolin, sitar and banjo all contributing to their beautiful tapestry of sound.

Distortion is absent from an album that brings to mind Elliott Smith, Grizzly Bear, The Byrds and Midlake. Sophisticated indie one might say. The bonus CD includes a delightful version of Numan’s Cars. MYSPACE

2. Ninja Tine have been releasing this kind of thinking mans electronica/post-rock/acid jazz for 20 years Jaga Jazzist’s new album One-Armed Bandit sits so comfortably with the label it is in danger of

being dismissed as too typical of their output.All manner of influences have gone into the cooking pot for this one – everything from Fela Kuti to 70s jazz fusion, electronic funk and Chicago post-rock. The most impressive element is the melding of organic and synthetic instrumentation, seamlessly in most cases. There is a lot going on here, perhaps too much at times and as a result it is a challenging listen. Probably best as as a soundtrack to the sunday cleaning or a charming cocktail party. WEBSITE

3. Gigi’s Maintenant is curious album. Recorded over the last 5 years Nick Krgovich has compiled a set of  pop songs that feature guest vocalists and musicians bringing his music to life.

There is a 60s vibe to most tracks, almost a Brill Building feel with stately strings and grand  romantic themes. Apparently the theme of the record was a challenge by producer Colin Stewart to recreate the sound of that particular era.

Remarkably lush and beautifully recorded this is retro music at its best that revisits blue eyed soul and orchestral pop. MYSPACE

4. The Bundles are a Nw York band based around Jeffrey Lewis and Kimya Dawson and not surprisingly it is a super stripped back set of indie pop songs featuring sing song matter of fact singing and primitve folk lyrics.

Their style is an acquired taste and for the most part it is all a bit too twee, like They Might Be Giants meets Violent Femmes with a dash of Pixies innocence thrown in.

It all comes together most successfully on Metal Mouth about an embrace of braces over a buzzy guitar and less primary school jerkiness. MYSPACE

5. Port Macquarie’s The Foreign Objects are the latest in the long line of Australian hard rock bands. On their EP Amongst Ghosts, By The Sea the lads take their lead from the like of NZ’s The Datsuns, Grinspoon and stomping, pouting, strutting rock in general.

Singer Luke Hall has a strong Jack White strangled yelp but all too often the lyrics are generic and the music descends into riff-by-numbers.

Live those cliches would probably work in their favour combined with youthful energy and volume but on CD they generate little excitement… MYSPACE