Ed Sheeran - X (Altantic) WE’VE had +, now here’s X. Ed Sheeran was obviously into maths at school. Already proving that redheads are actually quite talented (and very cool too), Sheeran comes at us with more interesting folk-pop crossover with a few surprises thrown in for good measure. X’s lead-off single, the uplifting Sing was co-authored by man-of-the-moment Pharrell Williams. If you didn’t know that, it’s obvious now, right? Ed’s acoustic guitar gets a working over here with early effort I’m A Mess a strong candidate as a future single. Bloodstream is an interesting beast. Co-written by Sheeran, Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol and Rudimental and produced by rock god Rick Rubin. Alas, it’s a super-smooth, almost sexy effort. Don’t is funky and organic, try not to sway to this one, and The Man sees Sheeran spit one of those cute pommy raps. RATING: ★★★½ IN SHORT: Funky Linkin Park - The Hunting Party (Warner) THEY’VE ditched the blippy, wafting electronica for something we all remember and love. Rock. Yep, Mike Shinoda, Chester Bennington and Co. have tracked down their guitars and deliver one heck of a bruising album in The Hunting Party. And not before time either, with the band’s previous two releases dividing fans. The opening chords of Keys To The Kingdom signal the most forthright opening track since Given Up from 2007’s excellent Minutes To Midnight. And with a new Transformers on the way, expect either the pulsating metal of Guilty All The Same or the classic LP of Until It’s Gone to continue the band’s connection with the series. RATING: ★★★½ IN SHORT: Loud 360 - Utopia (EMI) Melbourne’s 360 has done some serious growing up over the past few years. A divisive character, Sixty (aka Matt Colwell) hit it big with 2011’s Falling And Flying. But the pressure of fame almost proved too much for the rapper whose battle with substances is well documented. Now sober and life-adjusted, 360 delivers an album that hits you right between the eyes. Drug abuse is addressed early and often. On You And I, Colwell sounds like a man who has triumphed and Live It Up with long-time collaborator Pez, is an anthem of positivity. But Early Warning (with Chris Cheney) is dark, detailing addicition within the family circle. Man On The Moon, with its anti-suicide message, is one of Sixty’s best tracks to date. Wodonga’s Gossling reunites with Colwell on the superb Price Of Fame. Don’t be surprised if this one is as big as their previous pairing, Boys Like You. RATING: ★★★ IN SHORT: Refocused Jennifer Lopez - A.K.A. (Sony) NOW she’s put last week’s horrifying experience with Pitbull’s tighty-whitey pants aside, it’s time for a new album from J.Lo. The Latin American superstar has been relatively quiet on the music side of things with her last release, 2011’s Love? A.K.A. is distinctive J.Lo style — uplifting pop anthems that sneak a foot into the club, a slice of contemporary latin and mid-tempo urban jams with the odd guest rap. One such guest is Australia’s own rap superstar Iggy Azalea, whose spot on Acting Like That signals a future hit. The title track opener (with TI) is another with a hip-hop lean before catapulting towards hands-in-the-air pop. The percussion-driven First Love is classic-sounding J.Lo while the 44-year-old delivers the CD’s first ballad on the smooth Emotions. Let It Be Me is a tender acoustic slowey and Pitbull reappears on, ahem, Booty. RATING: ★★★ IN SHORT: Lively Bon Jovi - New Jersey Deluxe Edition (Universal) IT must be noted, this is not the 30th anniversary of this album — you’re not that old. It is, in fact, 30 years since Bon Jovi’s debut was released. 1988’s New Jersey achieved the impossible — stand side-by-side with it’s mega-selling predecessor Slippery When Wet. It boasted five top-10 hits, including I’ll Be There For You. The deluxe edition pieces together the missing bit from the planned-but-canned double LP. It’s nice to hear demo versions of the likes of Homebound Train and Stick To Your Guns, both non-singles but fan-favourites. Diamond Ring ended up on These Days seven years later and Does Anybody Really Fall In Love Anymore was retitled for Richie Sambora’s then girlfriend Cher. Similarly, House Of Fire was a hit after for Alice Cooper, Let’s Make It Baby is a tad x-rated and there a rousing take on Thin Lizzy’s Boys Are Back in Town. But maybe the single album call was the right one. RATING: Hairy IN SHORT: ★★★★

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