October has seen a number of pop and indie’s most prestigious names returning to the fold after significant absences. Two Door Cinema Club returned with their first record in four years, while Justin Vernon’s Bon Iver released our Album of the Month with the exceptional 22, A Million and Lady Gaga delivered her fourth album, Joanne.

Big new releases come in the shape of Manchester’s Courteeners, indie/drone rock stars Toy, noise-pop duo Sleigh Bells, and the legendary Metallica among many others. Oh, and The Weeknd, if you’ve been living under a rock.

November will see our writing staff taking stock of 2016 and selecting the Top 50 Albums of the Year, which will be published in the first week of December.

Meanwhile, here’s ten of the best tracks released in October 2016 – happy listening!