GUARDIAN MUSIC
Neuester Inhalt
Beethoven: Complete Symphonies album review – perfectly adequate but perfectly forgettable
Kammerakademie Potsdam/Manacorda
(Sony Classical, five CDs)
Though the sound is lean and bright, and the articulation of the strings wonderfully crisp, this rehash of Beethoven’s Symphonies lacks character and excitement
Messiaen: Poèmes pour Mi; Chants de Terre et de Ciel album review – beguiling, soft-edged intimacy
Hannigan/Chamayou
(Alpha)
The superb projection of Hannigan’s voice and the rainbow of colours in Chamayou’s piano lay bare the sexual desire and religious fervour prevalent in Messiaen’s early works
Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft review – still the great outlier of American pop
(Darkroom/Interscope Records)
On this deeply involving third album, Eilish once again breaks the rules for arena-filling artists: it’s subtle and understated, yet jars the listener with eerie show tunes and explosive noise
Beth Gibbons: Lives Outgrown review – long-awaited solo debut is a gripping study of ageing and loss
(Domino)
In the Portishead singer’s singular, astonishing soundworld, these songs sit in autumnal gloom but are occasionally dappled with warmth and light
Classical home listening: Cyril Scott’s Piano Sonato No 1; Jordan Bak: Cantabile: Anthems for Viola
‘The English Debussy’ is well served by pianist Simon Callaghan, while upcoming star violist Bak excels in works ranging from Britten to Bright Sheng
Continue reading...Les Savy Fav: Oui, LSF review – New York post-punk oddballs make restrained return
(Frenchkiss)
The veteran five-piece’s first album in 14 years has flashes of the old thrill, but doesn’t quite hit earlier heights
Kings of Leon: Can We Please Have Fun review – polished but tired
(Polydor)
The Nashville rockers still sound great, but their lyrics seem bereft of ideas
Yaya Bey: Ten Fold review – a free-ranging tribute
(Big Dada)
Bey’s latest, written in mourning to her rapper father Grand Daddy IU and featuring his voice, includes catchy dancefloor bangers alongside soulful odes
Dehd: Poetry review – a sparkling dialogue with rock’n’roll history
(Fat Possum Records)
The Chicago trio go back in time and dip into big-chorused Americana, slacker indie and vintage soul – all with real feeling
Smith and Myers review | John Fordham’s jazz album of the month
Red Hook Records
In their album Central Park’s Mosaics of Reservoir, Lake, Paths and Gardens the two musical soulmates impressionistically reflect on John Lennon, Albert Ayler and more
Beethoven: Violin Sonatas 1, 6 and 8 album review – characterful and infectiously gleeful
Mullova/Beatson
(Signum)
The easeful interplay between pianist Alasdair Beatson and violinist Viktoria Mullova stands out on these three sunny sonatas
Sherratt/Drake: Fear No More album review – drinkably deep bass at his peak
Brindley Sherratt/Julius Drake
(Delphian)
For the singer’s first recital recording he goes to Hades with Schubert, chills with Mussorgsky and closes warmly with English songs
Knocked Loose: You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To review – hardcore punk’s dark stars go supermassive
(Pure Noise Records)
The Kentucky metalcore quintet cleverly channel pop – and even reggaeton grooves – to create an album of crushing intensity and vast scope
The Jazz Defenders: Memory in Motion review – crackles with energy and skill
(Haggis)
The third album from this classy Bristol quintet keeps things fresh with funky rhythms, moody moments, a bit of rap and one live duet
Dua Lipa: Radical Optimism review – a banger-filled missive from dating land
(Warner)
Talk of a new musical direction proves unfounded as the Grammy-winning singer’s third album shares more retro-inspired dance pop and lessons from her love life
Rachel Chinouriri: What a Devastating Turn of Events review – a debut that’s better than it thinks
(Parlophone/Atlas Artists)
The new wave Britpop singer-songwriter includes a couple of old hits on an album that is in fact brimming with fresh ideas
Brian: The Cenci album review – composer’s lack of flair for music drama all too evident
Field/Wilson-Johnson/Jonsdottir/Kale/Lavender/Millennium O/Kell
(Toccata, two CDs)
Havergal Brian’s third opera, a reworking of Shelley’s play of renaissance corruption and incest, sparks only intermittently into dramatic life
Mdou Moctar: Funeral for Justice review – desert bluesman on incendiary form
(Matador)
The Nigerien guitarist and his virtuoso band set polemical fury to thrilling musicianship on this no-holds-barred release
Kamasi Washington: Fearless Movement review – the sax star dials up the tempos
(XL)
Input from George Clinton, André 3000 and Washington’s toddler daughter feature on his virtuosic, richly varied latest
Goblin Band: Come Slack Your Horse! review – rowdy, flamboyant folk
(Broadside Hacks)
Born out of a London musical instruments shop where members worked, the Paul McCartney-approved band’s first EP is eager and theatrical, sometimes to a fault