Cosmic Psychos. Cosmic Psychos

CUM THE RAW PRAWN

(Desperate Records) ★★☆☆☆ Compared to the relative subtlety of late '80s gems Pub, Elle, or even Dead in a Ditch from 2005's Off Ya Cruet! album, the vast majority of tracks here lean far more towards shock and gore than tongue-in-cheek humour. The warning sticker advises the Psychos' ninth studio LP contains the word f--- 250 times, s--- 21 times and c--- five times, along with one "fart attack". There's also a beer coaster included. Ack-Ack could be a highlight of future live shows with drummer Dean Muller stretching out, while the rest of the songs, including the shuffling Bum For Grubs and Toothbrush (have one guess) sound mostly thrown together at best. At least you can still trust them. - MARTIN BOULTON

Immigrant Union.

ANYWAY

(Independent) ★★★★☆ Major Lazer. In the late 1960s, psychedelia crossed the border into the vast American rural landscape, trading acid-drenched rhythm and blues for peyote-spiked country rock. On its latest album, Immigrant Union continues its exploration of that seminal migratory event. From the subliminal beauty of Shameless, to the rousing regional lament of I Can't Return, to the sadness of Wake Up and Cry to the chooglin' Lake Mokoan, Bob Harrow and Brent de Boer's songs are a collage of vivid imagery, infectious melodies and countrified harmonies. Even as the album draws to a sombre conclusion with The End Has Come (featuring original member Courtney Barnett on lead vocals), you sense Immigrant Union's journey isn't over.

- PATRICK EMERY Ben Salter. Major Lazer

PEACE IS THE MISSION

(Warner) ★★½☆☆ Conceived in 2009 as a reggae-dancehall project by dance music impresario Diplo, Major Lazer has become increasingly pop-focused. Their dreamy 2013 single Get Free was a breakthrough radio hit and the brilliant Lean On has been a recent chart-topper globally. This very brief (an EP-length 32 minutes) third album is a relative disappointment. Fans of Major Lazer will miss the group's trademark high-energy tempo, with only Too Original's cartoonish bounce and Night Rider's absurdist synth line lifting the heart rate. Powerful has a romantic grace and Be Together has a moody, mellow appeal, but collaborators including Ellie Goulding, Jamaican reggae star Chronixx and rappers Pusha T and 2 Chainz can't rescue this.

- ANDREW DREVER Ben Salter

THE STARS MY DESTINATION

(ABC/Universal Music) ★★★★½ The seeds of songwriter Ben Salter's follow-up album to 2011's The Cat were sewn with the EPs, countless solo shows, group performances with the Gin Club, the Wilson Pickers and others, plus the many collaborations he's struck up over 15 years. The Stars My Destination is a fully realised collection of songs that bring Salter's distinct voice to the fore, while Dan Luscombe (guitar, keys), Adrian Stoyles (bass), Gus Agars (drums) and top-notch guest musicians make this journey all the more enjoyable. From brilliant string arrangements and the mellow acoustic moments to heavier, superbly crafted dramatic flourishes, this is sure to feature in many 2015 best album lists. - MARTIN BOULTON