Elvis Perkins In Dearland Album XL April 6

ELVIS Perkins - son of Psycho actor Anthony Perkins and photographer Berry Berenson - had a lot to be gloomy about on his 2007 debut Ash Wednesday.

After losing his dad to AIDS in the early 90s, his mum was a passenger on the ill-fated American Airlines flight 11 on September 11.

Not surprising then that it was, at times, a bit too honest and almost uncomfortable to listen to.

His follow up, with band In Dearland, maintains the old soul quality that's always made Perkins stand out.

The throaty folk-rock voice is back, but this time it's more upbeat. Stand outs Shampoo and I Heard Your Voice in Dresden have the delicate, rustic edge of early Dylan. Great stuff.

The Veils Sun Gangs Album Rough Trade April 6

THE Veils' latest offering feels like three albums in one.

It's part produced by Bernard Butler, part produced by Graham Sutton, and skips from moody balladry to angsty foot-stampers, but it's singer Finn Andrews' schizophrenic vocals that make it feel so vast. He takes Jack White's erratic squark, Conor Oburst's sulky musings... he even throws in Rufus Wainwright's sneering drawl, and it breaks up what would otherwise be a dry, moody record.

Butler-produced opener Sit Down By The Fire is worth a download, but the remainder sounds like a teenage ode to Leonard Cohen.

Depeche Mode Wrong Single Mute April 6

AS THE world goes electro-pop mad, the twisted kings of the genre are back to reclaim their throne.

The first single from their new album, due out later this month, is as eerily bleak as ever, but sounds bang up to date.

A thudding bass line, screeching synths and an insanely catchy chorus, it's a short, sharp blast that announces their return.

Fingers crossed they can keep up the momentum over an album.