The Elected Sun, Sun, Sun (Sub Pop) The latest artist to take a side step from his band and go solo is Rilo Kiley's Blake Sennett. The Elected's debut album, Sun, Sun, Sun takes a more chilled-out pop sound tinged with dreamy lyrics. Highlight songs "Fireflies in a Steel Mill" and "Not Going Home" is California pop rock tunes at their finest. And just because you may not live near a beach doesn't mean you can't dream of driving along the California coast or having beach bonfires right in the comfort of your own living room. Arctic Monkeys Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (Domino) When English teen quartet Arctic Monkeys released their first single, the punchy "I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor," the song shot to No.1 in the UK-earning them title of "The Most Hyped Band." Their debut disc is one kick-butt musical ruckus with 13 songs-filled with choppy guitars and quippy lyrics. Think The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand and The Libertines rolled into one. For a �ber-cool Brit-pop party, set "Dancing Shoes," "When The Sun Goes Down" and "Still Take You Home" on repeat. Yellowcard Lights and Sounds (Capitol EMI) Fans of Yellowcard's first disc Ocean Avenue will be surprised to hear that the band's latest record steers away from their signature punk rock sound. This time, the boys trade in their lyrics of love and heartbreak for those that tackle real issues of war and family. The album, while still loud, includes some jazzy guitars and big orchestrated sounds. Fans can still expect to hear violinist Sean Mackin's trademark notes scattered throughout songs ranging from pop to straightforward rock.

The Strokes First Impressions of Earth (SonyBMG/RCA) The Strokes' third offering sees the band moving in a different direction. For one, with his vocals amped-up, Julian Casablancas shows us he really can sing. The other boys in the band get progressively tighter musically as do guitarist Nick Valensi's skinny jeans. Highlights include the single "Juicebox," "Heart in a Cage," "Ize of the World" and "On The Other Side". Despite lacking the number of danceable tunes that Is this It and Room On Fire provided, the disc becomes more addictive with each spin. The Vines Vision Valley (Capitol EMI) Our favourite Australian garage-rock band returns with a vengeance. Fans will be excited to hear frontman Craig Nichols return with his loud, drawn-out urgent screaming vocals. If this isn't enough to sway you, the band describes their disc as "a couple of great Beatles kind of punk rock songs, a bit of sixties beat garage stuff, a couple of really good indie slacker tracks and a bit of soaring pop stuff like that." Check out "Don't Listen To The Radio," "Gross Out," and the oh-so beautiful "Vision Valley." Richard Ashcroft Keys to the World (Capitol EMI) Before an audience of two billion, Coldplay singer Chris Martin announced that Richard Ashcroft "Is the best singer in the world" at the Live 8 concert last year. The ex-Verve frontman couldn't have asked for better publicity for his upcoming, third solo effort Keys to the World. Highlights on the disc, filled with powerful melodies and ballads, include the single "Break The Night With Color," "Cry Til The Morning," "Why Not Nothing" and the soulful "Music is Power."