★★★☆☆
Ash Olsen’s debut album Golden Child gives plenty of reasons to keep track of the rising Norwegian rapper – even if some if it sounds like its been heard all-too-often before.
This week’s New Music Friday features tunes from the likes of Kasabian, Pixey, Killer Mike, Peggy Gou, Coach Party and more.
From the triumphant return of Everything But The Girl to the extraordinary left-turn of Lil Yachty, the epic three-piece opera from Christine and the Queens to Foo Fighters’ beautiful study in grief, here are the best albums of 2023 – so far.
Fancy rapping like Snoop Dogg? Or singing in Elvis’ distinctive baritone drawl? Well a new A.I.-assisted app from Overtune allows you to do just so, at the touch of a button. With the new update live on the App Store, we speak to the Icelandic start-up’s founder and CEO, Sigurdur Arnason, to find out more.
There’s been some extraordinary music released this week, including from the likes of Christine and the Queens, King Krule, The Japanese House, J Hus and more.
Upon the release of the first part of their endearing animated musical album, we speak to Rare Americans frontman James Priestner.
★★★☆☆
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds are, to some extent, underrated; overshadowed by the noise that surrounds the former Oasis man’s former outfit with brother Liam. Despite some moments of majesty, however, Council Skies is by no means their best work.
★★★★☆
Unknown Mortal Orchestra provided a whistle-stop dive into their terrific catalogue at Troxy, placing emphasis on the rock in their psych-rock output.
This week’s new releases sees tunes from The Weeknd, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Teenage Dads, Gotts Street Park and more.
Are The ChurnUps merely an assortment of common people? Are they named after a pre-Nirvana Dave Grohl band? Or is it all just a bit of a Blur? Here are the fan theories on this mysterious band set to play The Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury.
Australian singer-songwriter Sia has revealed she’s been diagnosed as “on the spectrum” – two years after her directorial debut received criticism for its depiction of autism.
Arctic Monkeys kicked-off their UK and Ireland tour last night – and are collaborating with The Big Issue for the full tour programme.
★★★★☆
Ecuadorian-Swiss brothers Hermanos Gutiérrez took the crowd on a desert road trip at Cross The Tracks, with their hypnotic, soulful instrumentals. Read our review.
Another bank holiday is upon us, and so is another batch of terrific new tunes – coming this week from Foo Fighters, Arlo Parks, Sparks, Squid, Lola Young and more.
Tina Turner, one of the best-loved singers, has died at the age of 83.
★★★☆☆
Prima Queen took to London’s Lafayette amid a current run of headline UK shows, in a gig that demonstrated just why they’re ones to watch – and how much more they’ll give in years ahead.
The Goa Express have at long last announced their debut album, with the self-titled record set to arrive in October.
This week’s new releases sees old favourites mix with some of the most compelling new artists out there, from Lana Del Rey and Kesha to Trout, Do Nothing and HotWax.
★★★☆☆
Lewis Capaldi releases his second album Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent four years on from his hugely successful debut. Whilst sticking to a tried and tested formula seems an obvious approach, it sounds samey nonetheless.
★★★★☆
London’s long-heralded art-rockers HMLTD put on a creative tour de force at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, reeling off from the wild and varied work of their latest album, The Worm.
Eight years since their previous record, the Britpop legends have announced new album ‘The Ballad of Darren’ – and shared its lead single ‘The Narcissist’.
★★★★☆
Gag Order sees Kesha offload the plentiful emotional ordeals she’s experienced, arriving at a state of inner peace – with the help of producer Rick Rubin, Ram Dass and, of course, her wizard friend.
Ed Sheeran has won another copyright case that alleged his 2014 hit ‘Thinking Out Loud’ plagiarised from Marvin Gaye’s classic soul track ‘Let’s Get It On’.
Still recovering from The Great Escape festival? You’re not alone. London alt-hip-hop trio Frozemode played out five sets across the weekend – as well as enjoyed all the shenanigans the Brighton-held festival has to offer.
Swedish act Loreen has made history by becoming the only female to win the Eurovision Song Contest twice – on a night that proved disappointing for the UK and Mae Muller.
Whilst there might not be a bank holiday this weekend, at least we can still enjoy what moment’s escapism we have with tunes from Arlo Parks and Phoebe Bridgers, Lil Durk and J. Cole, Janelle Monáe and more.
Mae Muller will be closing proceedings at this Saturday’s Eurovision Song Contest final. Here’s the Eurovision 2023 running order in full.
The Great Escape Festival is kicking-off this week. The Brighton-held event is one of the best tributes to new music going – and this year is no different.
Beyoncé’s blockbuster worldwide Renaissance tour could rake in some $2.1 billion (£1.6 billion) – $500 million (£395 million) more than Taylor Swift’s Eras tour could clear.
★★★★★
Four Tet billed Fred Again.. and Brian Eno’s Secret Life as “the most beautiful album of 2023”. Bias aside, given it was released via the electronic artist’s Text Records label, he has a point – even if only to a subset of ambient music devotees.
