LADY SOVEREIGN

Jigsaw

Rap

Midget/EMI

When white British rapper Lady Sovereign broke through to the indie sector with "Public Warning" a couple of years ago, the buzz on her was that she was the British female Eminem, but it was obvious even then that she was far more of a partystarter than a whiny curmudgeon. Though the first single, "Love Me or Hate Me," hit No. 1 on "TRL," Lady Sov didn't end up a household name; unsurprisingly, her new one, "Jigsaw," is self-released.

Jeff Miller, Special to Metromix

Overview: Freed from the "grime" tag that lumped her in with bleep-bloop Brits like Dizzee Rascal, "Jigsaw" is a wholly enjoyable album that takes its cues from other female genre successes, namely Santigold and M.I.A., who make music that's pop radio accessible yet instrumentally experimental.

3 out of 5 stars

JADAKISS

The Last Kiss

Hip-hop

Ruff Ryders/Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam

Five years after Jadakiss released his sophomore album "Kiss of Death," this third solo effort, the long-delayed "The Last Kiss," is finally seeing the light of day. The New York native rapper was a close friend to the late Notorious B.I.G., and is best known for his controversial 2004 single "Why?" featuring Anthony Hamilton.

Tamara Palmer, Special to Metromix

Overview: Even with several producers involved, this LP's overall sound is unified, slickly polished and lyrically balanced. On "What If," a series of questions asked with the help of Nas, Jada posits politically aware questions similar to what he did on "Why?"Tracks such as "Things I've Been Through," which cleverly samples Luther Vandross, and "Letter to B.I.G." (featuring Faith Evans) are tender counterpoints to rougher joints like the trap-rappin' "Come and Get Me" (with S.I. and Sheek Louch) and the anti-abuse anthem "Smoking Gun" (with Jazmine Sullivan).

4 out of 5 stars

BAT FOR LASHES

Two Suns

Indie / alternative

Astralwerks

U.K. native Bat for Lashes got big in the blogosphere a couple years ago thanks to her hyped debut album "Fur and Gold" and memorable video for "What's a Girl to Do?" "Two Suns" is the follow-up LP, which promises to explore "dualities on a number of levels" and marks the premiere of Khan's femme fatale alter-ego, Pearl, on some tracks.

Keith N. Dusenberry, Special to Metromix

Overview: Expect to hear the phrase "hauntingly beautiful" used often in discussions of this album. Spacier and even more abstract than "Fur and Gold," these aren't so much songs as vocal-soundscape passages. They float along, occasionally feeling demanding. It seems this is music people really want to like — and really want you to know that they like — but for which they tend to wildly overstate their affection. "Two Suns" is a decent sophomore LP, but it's not the Second Coming. It's just OK.

3 out of 5 stars

PONTIAK

Maker

Indie / rock / psychedelic / stoner

Thrill Jockey

After gigging with separate bands throughout the U.S. and Europe for years, Virginian brothers Jennings, Lain and Van Carney retired to their Blue Ridge Mountains home and studio to pound out stoner rock riffage as the power trio Pontiak.

Scott Thrill, Special to Metromix

Overview: The 13-minute-plus title track on "Maker" is a head trip down noise lane, careening from a slow burn to full-blown thrash without much warning. The molasses dirge of "Honey" is a feedback treat, while the opener "Laywayed" is a distorted mini-epic that sounds like it's been chilling in Black Sabbath's closet. When Pontiak goes quiet, as on the sublime "Aestival," it's psychedelic bliss. But when the band gets loud and dirty on its series of short instrumentals — like the Pink Floydian "Blood Pride" or the dizzying crescendoes of "Headless Conference" — watch out. Those rocks can tear your ship to shreds.

4 out of 5 stars