Album reviews roundup: A selection of contrasts – some dark, 2020-slanted Christmas other recent seasonal releases and other recents and earlier releases, from Chilly Gonzales to Mark Lanegan and a Beethoven anniversary piece
Read moreAlbum reviews roundup: Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, The Avalanches, Nas, Sigur Rós, Caro, Alex Maas, M. Ward, Flohio
Album reviews roundup: From the former Beatle to a country/pop mainstream artist, 2020’s running theme seems inspire isolation, survival, DIY and experimentation. But as this selection shows, there are also many new, innovative artists out there
Read moreAlbum reviews roundup: Smashing Pumpkins, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Jack Cheshire, Daniel Avery, Ane Brun, The Wytches, Heather Trost, Brandee Younger and Dezron Douglas, Matthew Halsall
Album reviews roundup: Psychedelia, jazz, prog and electronica dominate this week, including a synth album by the Smashing Pumpkins, eastern flavours by King Gizzard, exquisite Norwegian vocals by Ane Grun and a superb debut by Jack Cheshire
Read moreAlbum reviews roundup: Nick Cave, Cabaret Voltaire, Tayla Parx, Brian Eno, Ana Roxanne, Megan Thee Stallion, Contento, The Cribs, Luke Abbott
Album reviews roundup: Great contrast mark this week’s group of nine, from Nick Cave’s solo concert album to the first Cabaret Voltaire for 26 years, vibrant pop and hip hop from Megan Lee Stallion and Tayla Parx to the beautiful minimalism of Ana Roxanne
Read moreAlbum reviews roundup: AC/DC, Marika Hackman, Gillian Welch, Pa Salieu, Benee, Gwenifer Raymond, Katy J Pearson, Molchat Doma, Faten Kanaan
Album reviews roundup: This week’s selection includes a surprise but strong return for the Aussie rockers, three innovative debuts in in hip hop, pop and folk, and an outstanding series of instrumentals by a Welsh guitarist
Read moreAlbum reviews roundup: Elvis Costello, Dizzee Rascal, Sun Ra Arkestra, Eels, Oneohtrix Point Never, Action Bronson, Jim White, Adrianne Lenker, Keaton Henson
Album reviews roundup: This week’s selection again reflects the times - divided political America to grief and isolation, but also presents an abundance of creativity, wit and musical invention crossing everything from jazz to hip hop
Read moreAlbum reviews roundup: Bruce Springsteen, Future Utopia, This Is The Kit, Laura Veirs, Matt Berninger, Songhoy Blues, Ela Minus, Sam Brookes, Girlhood
Albums reviews roundup: The latest selection includes a big reunion for the Boss. a mass collaboration via Fraser T Smith, Stormzy and more, exquisite work by This is The Kit, and reflective breakup by Laura Veirs
Read moreAlbum reviews roundup: Future Islands, Black Thought, Public Enemy, Emmy The Great, Sylvan Esso, Hen Ogledd, Kronos Quartet, Blake Scott, Slow Pulp
Album reviews roundup: Hip hop comes up strong this week with Black Thought and a recent Public Enemy release with heavyweight guests, but there’s not shortage of other highly original artists from Future Islands to Sylvan Esso
Read moreAlbum reviews roundup: Róisín Murphy, Blackpink, Melanie C, Working Men's Club, Hello Forever, The Nude Party, Ailbhe Reddy, Diana Krall, Peter Broderick
Albums reviews roundup: This selection mixes some serious disco and dance grooves with Róisín Murphy, K-pop megaband Blackpink, the return of a Spice Girl, northern electropop from Working Men’s Club and much more
Read moreAlbum reviews roundup: Sufjan Stevens, IDLES, Diana Jones, A Certain Ratio, Bob Mould, Sad13, Marie Davidson, Deftones, Mildlife
Album reviews roundup: This selection has a particularly political and topical element with the likes of Sufjan Stevens, IDLES, Bob Mould and Diana Jones tackling issues in different styles, as well as other stylish pop and experimental releases
Read moreAlbum reviews roundup: Doves, The Flaming Lips, Marilyn Manson, Toots and the Maytals, Bróna McVittie, Susanna, Anjimile, Mammal Hands, Richard and Linda Thompson
Album reviews roundup: A particularly strong lineup includes the return of Doves, The Flaming Lips’ signature sound, a farewell from Toots, a stunning debut from Anjimile, and more beauty and innovation from Mammal Hands, Susanna and Bróna Mcvittie
Read moreAlbum reviews roundup: Emily Barker, Throwing Muses, Tricky, Declan McKenna, Hannah Georgas, Soundwalk Collective with Patti Smith, Sarah Davachi, Allison Neale, Richard Norris
Album reviews roundup: This week’s selection mixes deep emotions with philosophy, evolution with the elemental, with a mixture of folk, pop, electronica and indie, and including drone music featuring five ancient church organs
Read moreAlbum reviews roundup: Bill Callahan, Disclosure, Angel Olsen, My Morning Jacket, Washington, Babe, Terror, Kelly Lee Owens, Afel Bocoum, Floodlights
Album reviews roundup: This week’s selection includes an exquisite gem from Bill Callahan, clever dance music from Disclosure, a stark reworking of her last album by Angel Olsen, and a second helping of a previous by My Morning Jacket
Read moreAlbum reviews roundup: Bright Eyes, The Killers, International Teachers of Pop, The Lemon Twigs, X, Dan Croll, Bully, Andrew McCormack, Chuck Prophet
Albums reviews roundup: Our latest selection includes a couple of comebacks from Bright Eyes and US punk legends X, plus Sheffield’s wonderful International Teachers of Pop, a mainstream Killers and the talented Lemon Twigs brothers
Read moreAlbum reviews roundup: Biffy Clyro, Kiesza, James Dean Bradfield, Idris Ackamoor, Nubya Garcia, Oscar Jerome, Burna Boy, Alula Down, Duckwrth
Albums reviews roundup: Jazz and African are foremost in this week’s selection with two sax stars and a guitarist, as well as a tribute to a Chilean poet by the Manic Street Preachers’ frontman, rock by Biffy Clyro and lovely folk by Alula Down
Read moreNew albums: Marlowe, Leila Moss, Gillian Welch, Victoria Monét, Another Sky, Video Age, Willie J Healey, Washed Out, Tkay Maidza
The latest selection includes another solo album from The Duke Spirit singer, hip hop follow-up from the Marlowe duo, beautiful fragments from Gillian Welch, a work of ethereal beauty from Another Sky, and 80s pop from Video Age
Read moreNew albums: Taylor Swift, Jessy Lanza, Shirley Collins, Seasick Steve, Kamaal Williams, Jon Hassell, Courtney Marie Andrews, Dan Michaelson, Mohit
Refreshingly alternative releases include the Nashville popstar showing a mellower side, electro eccentricity from Jessy Lanza, unique sounds Jon Hassell and Mohit, and a great comeback from folk legend Shirley Collins
Read moreNew albums: Lianne La Havas, JARV IS (Jarvis Cocker), The Pretenders, The Chicks, Ellie Goulding, Sault, Wilma Archer, Protomartyr, Oumou Sangaré
Latest albums include exquisite soul and gospel with the divine voice of Lianne La Havas and the mystery band Sault, plus mischief from Jarvis Cocker, The Pretenders roll back the years, the return of the (no longer Dixie) Chicks
Read moreNew albums: Rufus Wainwright, Julianna Barwick, The Streets, Donna Missal, Mr Ben & The Bens, The Beths, NZCA Lines, SoKo, Mulatu Astatke & Black Jesus Experience
This week’s selection includes classic Rufus Wainwright, a return for Mike Skinner collaborating on each Streets song, powerful ambience from Julianna Barwick and a selection of eccentric, eclectic pop releases
Read moreNew albums: Paul Weller, The Irrepressibles, Margo Price, Keleketla!, Dream Wife, A.A. Williams, bdrmm, Hania Rani, The Mystery Jets
This week includes a mellow one from the modfather, innovative electronica from The Irrepressibles, gorgeous piano-based work by A.A. Williams and Hani Rani, African and Coldcut collective Kelekelta, and kickass pop-punks Dream Wife
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