Below is a quick round-up of new albums out this week; bands must qualify in both great music and great artwork to make it into the round-up. I also have to know they’re being released! If there’s any I should note, and haven’t, let me know in the comments.

First up is William Elliot Whitmore’s latest. It’s his first release on Tom Wait’s Anti- label. It’s called Animals In The Dark and is a bit more refined than his previous efforts. A great album with interesting artwork.

Empire Of The Sun are one of the hype bands of ‘09 in the UK. I picked up the album last summer and it’s an incredible over the top record ranging from New Wave – New Romantic – Electronica – RnB. It’s of little surprise given then the whole project is a concept album of sorts between Sleepy Jackson front-man Luke Steele and electro mainstays PNAU member Nick Littlemore. The artwork is also, fittingly, completely blonkers: a heavily airbrushed Star Wars style film poster.

I’ve already stated how much I love this album and accompanying artwork here. It’s worth pointing out again though as it’s out on Monday.

Iceland’s Sindri Mar Sigfusson is releasing a solo album under the name Sin Fang Bous; the album title is Clangour and is a mix of pop and indie-folk. The artwork is a kaliedoscopic collage putting Sigfusson firmly in the centre.

Over the top super cool boxset of the week goes to Aidan Moffat (& The Best Ofs). I really like the artwork that graces the normal album cover but somehow having it with all those super cool extras in a boardgame style box makes it really full of win.