(Def Jam) The surprise seventh album from the former tween idol is musically expansive, abetted by a host of star producers. If only he’d thought about the words a bit Continue reading...
(Brownswood) The London collective have an easygoing, ruminative sound – briefly lifted here by moments of lively counterpoint – that can feel all too placid Continue reading...
(Phase Space) Switching wonky techno for spacious abstraction, Gwenan Spearing debuts a new alias on an EP of uncanny generative electronics Continue reading...
Steven Osborne (Hyperion) His grasp of Schubert’s scale and ebullience means this is among the finest recordings of one of the composer’s final sonatas Continue reading...
Synergy Vocals/Van Sweden/ Colin Currie Group (Nonesuch) The consistent harmonics of Traveler’s Prayer are an unfamiliar side to the US composer’s output while the exuberant Jacob’s Ladder brings back his familiar propulsive figures...
(Roc Nation) Scathing disses, star guests, inspired Pharrell beats and great lines from chilling to laugh-out-loud: the duo’s first album since 2009 is so much more than the drama around it Continue reading...
(Domino) After winning multiple Grammys and Brits, the Isle of Wight band explore love and sexuality on their second LP – but there’s still room for some barbed put-downs Continue reading...
Hallé Orchestra/Adès (Hallé) This brings together new works of his own and by composers he admires that Thomas Adès has conducted at Bridgewater Hall during his residency with the Hallé Continue reading...
Yulianna Avdeeva (Pentatone) It’s fascinating to compare this nuanced set with the performance by the Soviet pianist who inspired Shostakovich in 1950 Continue reading...
(Relentless Records) The UK collective have been reimagining south Asian music since 2020, and their new compilation splices junglism and Afro-house onto gems in Sony India’s catalogue Continue reading...
(Island Records) Despair runs through the Londoner’s fifth album but, in what is essentially a love letter to the trans community, his home town and partner, a hard-won beauty breaks through Continue reading...
(Kesha Records) After a long legal battle, the pop star’s sixth album harks back to her 2010s era, with a buffet of pop styles and only rare hints of her highly-publicised trauma Continue reading...
(Blue Note) The US saxophonist pulls back the vocals of his last record to present a new ensemble and all-original repertoire, resulting in an ideal balance of ingenuity and rapport Continue reading...
(Bella Union) The US singer’s seventh album takes his meta-theatrical style almost into showtune territory, with songs about repression, depression and anger Continue reading...
(Universal) After her last album embraced switching off, the musician returns to pop’s fray to revel in the mess of late-20s angst with a strikingly unsettled sound Continue reading...
Howard/Carby/Scottish Opera/Andrews (Retrospect Opera, two CDs) Granville Bantock’s story of a Selkie emerging from the sea is a century-old curio whose beauty has faded over the years Continue reading...
Rachel Podger/Brecon Baroque (Channel Classics) The baroque violinist remains true to the spirit of Biber’s music on a new recording of six extremely difficult sonatas, animal noises et al Continue reading...
(Duo Ruut Music) The pair play with the traditions of Baltic Finnic runo song to explore the connections between the weather and emotion, giving ancient forms crossover potential Continue reading...
(Third Man Records) Will Anderson opens up on the NYC group’s third album, revealing an expansive articulacy to his take on 90s indie-rock Continue reading...