

Hilltop Hoods re-wrote the book on Australian hip hop with The Hard Road, but the Adelaide trio’s new opus State of the Art, released through their own Golden Era label, opens a whole new chapter. By Dan Rule

Michael Adams dissects the ridiculous and shines a light on the sublime in film and DVD. This month, he time travels with the best – and worst – of them.

Handpicked to perform at Sydney’s Luminous Festival by ambient music godfather Brian Eno, London innovator Jon Hopkins is a rising star. He chatted to MAG about his new album, and former life as a classical prodigy. By Dan Rule

After a storm of personal and creative turmoil, Placebo return with their most ambitious record yet. Frontman Brian Molko tells MAG’s Dan Rule that making Battle for the Sun has given them a new lease on life.

Critics darlings Trail of Dead are visiting Australia after more acclaim for new album Century of Self. Chris Murray talked art, music and childhood with lead singer Conrad Keely.

In The Icon we profile those who change music. This month, Dan Rule explores the sonic territory of pop/production iconoclast and Luminous festival curator Brian Eno.

Eskimo Joe weren’t built for rock ‘n’ roll stardom. Multi-instrumentalist Joel Quartermain tells MAG’s Dan Rule that post Black Fingernails, Red Wine, new album Inshalla takes things back to the home front.

If you’re familiar with Touareg group Tinariwen, you’ll know what’s in store on this disc capturing their 2007 performance at London’s Shepherds Bush Empire.

TV viewing habits are shifting. If we don’t work it out now, we’ll have nothing but snow on our screens. By Julia Gaw