Ars nova

1989 box set rejigged again

Feature-length spin-off from the Japanimated sci-fi TV show about a group of bounty hunters in the late 21st century. Here, they're battling renegade bio-terrorist commandos from Mars and a nanobyte virus. Innovative ideas and gizmos a-go-go, and though a tad predictable, its energy keeps you watching.

Set fire to anything. Set fire to the air," urged John Cale at the beginning of Music For A New Society. That 1982 masterpiece was the evisceration of a man whose fractured psyche was mirrored perfectly by songs arranged in jagged, improvisatory style; a knife held at the throat of sweetness. Now he reappears with his first album of songs for seven years, and his finest album in any genre for over two decades.

Following the attention heaped upon 2002's lovely I'm Coming Home, Norway's most famous ex-postman Thomas Hansen began to wilt, preferring to "hide behind the beer". Straightened out and under the wing of producer Mark Nevers (Lambchop), Hey Harmony is the product of a frantic's week recording in Nashville, spotlighting the 26-year-old's Anglophilia and US country-folk leanings. Sort of Neil Young and Donovan tripping at The Wicker Man's solstice fest.

Agit-rap veteran mellows out too much on his fourth LP

Essential chronicle of 1977-81 punk-dub soundclash

The Gentle Soul THE GENTLE SOUL BOTH SUNDAZED The Cyrkle's last outing was the soundtrack for a soft-porn spy movie. Made in 1967, it took another couple of years to get released, and by then must have sounded woefully dated, since what you get here is an uneasy blend of mid-'60s sounds:so-so beat group pop, bossa nova and surf instrumentals. Odd, but not quite odd enough. The Gentle Soul, however, are a find.

Dazzling third solo album on border of post-rock and electronica from ex-Fridge magnate Kieran Hebden

Debut solo outing for ex-Teenage Fanclub sticksman

Jackie Chan does James Bond