A wave of musicians are exploring that murky hinterland between R&B, indie and electronica. The results are sometimes inspired; more often they’re really boring. That the debut album by Banks belongs in the first camp is down to the contrast between her luxuriant delivery and her pointed lyrics. “So I got edges that scratch/ And sometimes I don’t got a filter,” purrs the Californian singer-songwriter over sullen bass and beats on Beggin for Thread and there’s certainly a frankness to her reflections on love, break-ups and independence. But her knives are sheathed in velvet — Waiting Game owes as much to Sugababes as it does to Fiona Apple. (GoodYears/Harvest, out Mon)