New releases

ELTON JOHN: 17-11-70+ (DJM)

OUT ON vinyl for tomorrow’s Record Store Day, this classic album is expanded into a double LP with six unreleased songs, including a heartfelt Your Song and the gospel ballad Border Song. Taken from a New York radio broadcast, it captures the energy and verve of a superstar in waiting. It is one of Elton’s finest performances. ★★★★★

TINIE TEMPAH: Youth (Parlophone)

‘TELL JK that I’m still rolling,’ quips Tinie Tempah on his first album in four years. With the best rap and R&B now striking more introspective poses, the South Londoner reflects on his youth on songs that celebrate night buses and takeaway meals with mates. The title track details Tinie’s mixed feelings on fame, but the sharpest moments are his poppy duets with Zara Larsson, Jess Glynne and singer-songwriter Jake Bugg. ★★★★✩

RAY DAVIES: Americana (Legacy)

THE newly-knighted Sir Ray enlists countryrockers the Jayhawks as his band on an album that takes a long, languorous look at America. The songs are inspired as much by old cowboy films as the singer’s touring experiences, with The Deal a rambling tale of pop star disillusionment and The Man Upstairs wistfully revisiting the Kinks hit All Day And All Of The Night. A second volume follows later this year. ★★★✩✩

FIONN REGAN: The Meetings Of The Waters (Abbey)

FIVE years after his last album, folk troubadour Fionn Regan returns with a refreshing fusion of strummed guitars, subtle electronics and fiery rock. This album isn’t long — half an hour plus a spooky, 12-minute instrumental coda — but quality makes up for lack of quantity. The mood is optimistic, with the title track’s subtle electronics punctuated by squalls of Radiohead-like guitar and Wall Of Silver a falsetto ballad. ★★★★✩