Nearly two decades have passed since the former frontman of Mano Negra released a studio album. The last one was 'La Radiolina' in 2007, and during his 17-year 'sabbatical', the globetrotting troubadour hasn't been idle. He's continued to perform worldwide with his live band Radio Bemba. His new album 'Viva Tu' is inspired by his travels and showcases all the elements that made Manu Chao a beloved figure on the airwaves. The seamless fusion of Latin rhythms and Caribbean grooves with Western folk music, occasional sampling, smooth percussion, and minimalist lyrics sung in Spanish, French, Portuguese, and English are all present. However, at 63, he has slowed down a bit. Acoustic guitars dominate, and 'Viva Tu' has a more gentle vibe, lacking some of the street energy and punkish effervescence of his previous records. Not that this is a bad thing. 'Viva Tu' may not match the vibrancy of his first two albums 'Clandestino' and 'Próxima Estación: Esperanza', nor the inventiveness of his underrated 2004 concept LP 'Sibérie m’était contéee'. Nevertheless, this new album feels like a familiar yet evolved sound. By toning down the energy and adopting a laid-back approach, Manu Chao reflects the thematic spirit of his album, focusing on how ordinary lives can be remarkable in unique ways. This is evident in the titular track, a smooth rumba celebrating his Barcelona neighbors, and in the mellow tune 'La Couleur du Temps'. Standout tracks include the ode to remembrance 'Tu Te Vas' featuring French rapper Laeti, and the touching lament 'Cuatro Calles'. The immigration anthem 'Vecinos En El Mar', written with Kurdish refugees in Athens, is also noteworthy. While tracks like 'São Paulo Motoboy' and 'Lonely Night' rely on familiar sounds, there's a comforting warmth in their production. The only dud is 'Heaven’s Bad Day', a Willie Nelson collaboration that leans too heavily on country whistles and harmonica. 'Viva Tu' is a welcome return from Manu Chao. Those hoping for a reinvention or more surprises may be disappointed, but fans of his signature vibe will be delighted after nearly two decades.

Nearly a decade after his critically acclaimed 'In Colour', Jamie xx (James Smith) invites listeners back onto his kaleidoscopic dance floor with 'In Waves', a long-awaited second album bursting with joyous energy. Despite its monochromatic cover, 'In Waves' is a vibrant mix of house, UK garage, drum and bass, and experimental sounds. The stripped-back opener 'Wanna' sets the tone, reimagining Double 99’s iconic 1997 club hit 'Ripgroove' with atmospheric piano progressions and swelling synths. The track transitions seamlessly into 'Treat Each Other Right', which features punchy drum breaks, deep basslines, and soulful sampled vocals. The xx bandmates Romy and Oliver Sim return on 'Waited All Night', their chemistry with Smith as electric as ever. Standout tracks include 'All You Children', featuring The Avalanches, and 'Breather', a slow-building, tempo-shifting epic. While not every track hits the same high notes, 'In Waves' is a rewarding and frequently electrifying listen, proving Jamie xx as one of the most exciting talents in dance music.

Pop powerhouse Katy Perry returns with '143', following the underperforming and critically panned 'Smile' in 2020. The rollout for '143' has been an unmitigated disaster. The tone-deafness of re-working with producer Dr. Luke, embroiled in a long-running legal dispute with Kesha, was followed by the release of the single 'Woman’s World', a pseudo-empowerment anthem that struck every regressive note. The follow-up single 'Lifetimes' was bland Eurodance pop, and 'I’m His He’s Mine', a collaboration with Doechii, was uninspired. Despite these stumbles, '143' fails to deliver a solid pop record. The lyrics are mind-numbingly clichéd, and the songs lack the joyous energy of her past work. Tracks like 'Crush', 'Gorgeous', 'Gimme Gimme', 'Nirvana', and 'Artificial' feel feigned and out of step with the times. Even semi-decent tracks like 'All the Love' and 'Wonder' can't save '143' from being an embarrassment. The album's title '143' is code for 'I Love You' in texting lingo, but after listening to this record, we're tempted to rebrand it as '424', code for 'Make It Stop'.

Manu Chao's 'Viva Tu', Jamie xx's 'In Waves', and Katy Perry's '143' are all out on 20 September.