JOEL and Benji Madden are much loved in this country, thanks largely to their good-guy roles as judges on The Voice and The Voice Kids.

Even those who never partook in Good Charlotte’s catalog, couldn’t help but be drawn in by the tattooed twins’ personas.

Ditching their band for a long-awaited solo (duo?) project, the boys avoide the pop-punk of their past, sliding instead into mature and inspired pop-rock.

Greetings From California already boasts a No.1 in the groove-driven retro-revival of We Are Done.

But Joel and Benji aren’t done.

A throwback sound features on several highlights including the surf-rock inspired Brixton and the 1980s-styled Jealousy.

New single Dear Jane is vocally different than anything we’ve heard from the brothers and a real grower. Super addictive.

Abby is similarly inventive, stylish yet striking, while the gentle Brother shows off the boys’ storytelling and superb harmonies.

RATING: ★★★★ 

IN SHORT: Twin powers

Gretta Ziller - Hell's Half Acre (grettaziller.com)

Gretta Ziller has come a long way since her formative days in the North East. But early on, you could see an incredible talent. 

That talent has seen multiple success in Telstra Road to Discovery and a peformance alongside John Farnham at the 2009 AFL Grand Final.

And Ziller, based in Melbourne, has taken those experiences, along with some key overseas life experiences to deliver the Hell’s Half Acre EP.

The aching title track, inspired by a badlands she came across in Canada showcases a real international sound. It’s country for those of us who won’t admit we dig it.

Across five super solid tracks we are treated to the gentle and contemporary Hunt For Love, the sunny pop stylings of Some Kind Of Habit and Unforgiven Sins — a stripped-bare ballad allowing Ziller’s worldly vocals to shine.

And the closer, Rust And Bones is the illegitimate child of Kasey Chambers and Steve Earl!

RATING: ★★★½ 

IN SHORT: Worldly

Hilltop Hoods - Walking Under Stars (Golden Era)

IF you thought Australia’s seminal hip-hop superstars had peaked, think again.

Sure the Hilltop Hoods been quiet for a while, allowing the likes of Bliss N Eso, Illy and 360 to get a taste of top dog status.

But what the Hoods have been doing is taking everything they’ve delivered prior — the string-backings, the soulful stylings, the cross-genre creations — and built on it considerably. 

And Suffa and Pressure are still two of the cleverest rhymers around — check out Cosby Sweater for some rippers.

But Through The Dark is the record’s most poignant moment as Pressure sings, rather than raps, about his young son’s battle with leukaemia.

Pressure, aka Dan Smith, says it was the toughest things he’s ever written. It might also be the best thing the Hoods have done.

Art of the Handshake is classic boom-bap lyrical mastery while the soulful Live And Let Go looms as a definite future single.

RATING: ★★★★ 

IN SHORT: Real life

Vance Joy - Dream Your Life Away (Liberation)

SMART move from Vance Joy. 

The Melbourne troubador has included the snowballing hit Riptide on his debut CD Dream Your Life Away.

It first appeared on Joy’s God Loves You When Your Dancing EP early last year and, despite radio and TV saturation, is the finest moment on the new CD.

That said, the rest of Dream Your Life Away ain’t too shabby either.

The singer’s stage surname (his real name is James Keogh) aptly describes what most of Dream Your Life Away delivers.

From Afar, another earlier single, is gentle and stark, Who Am I is as warm and hearty as Riptide and Winds Of Change simply feels nice.

And that’s the theme here: it simply feels nice. It feels right.

Mess Is Mine is slightly reminiscent of Bernard Fanning’s Tea & Sympathy era. 

In fact, if you loved that album, get Dream Your Life Away pronto.

RATING: ★★★½ 

IN SHORT: Satisfying