Music: Kitty Empire’s 10 best albums of 2024
Americana’s classiest duo weather the storm, Kendrick Lamar has the last word, UK jazz soars – and Charli xcx unleashes the power of Brat
Merope: Vėjula review – Lithuanian folk reborn in glittering new forms
The duo are joined by a stellar cast including Bill Frisell and Laraaji, bringing innovation and playfulness to their bright, elemental music
Distant Voices, New Worlds review – avant-garde vision of Albion by bright British composers
Inspired by the South Downs near Brighton, this selection box of new work from contemporary composers is English to its core – and yet defies tradition
Laura Marling review – a sumptuous performance, with strings attached
The singer-songwriter’s impressive showcase of her new album is bookended by solo guitar numbers that underline what a class act she is
Iron & Wine review – shadow puppets and folk-pop combine in singular gig
Emmy award-winning puppeteers Manual Cinema occasionally pull focus from Sam Beam’s rich songwriting, but mostly enhance it with eerie and intricate staging
Róis: Mo Léan review – ancient keening songs filled with startling new life
Singer Rose Connolly expands the pre-Christian Irish grieving tradition with synthesisers, distortion and drone in an arresting set
Leon Bridges: Leon review – deliciously soulful confection with added country
(Columbia)The musician’s emotional fourth album borrows liberally from the past but the themes are modern and the sound utterly timeless
Willie Watson: Willie Watson review – a former hell-raiser finds his voice
Known for his versions of old American folk, the singer finally puts his extraordinary voice at the service of his own material
Mustafa: Dunya review – poet’s songwriting is a little too beautiful for its own good
The multitalented Canadian renders his subtle songs in tasteful autumnal shades – but could have benefitted from more head-turning numbers such as Gaza Is Calling
The Rheingans Sisters: Start Close In review – a radical leap into darkness
With their golden voices, fertile soundworlds and evocative influences from across Europe, the Sheffield duo’s fifth album is admirably confrontational
Astrid Williamson: Shetland Suite review – a beautiful enchantment
The Scottish musician pays tribute to her homeland and her late mother with this powerfully moving set
Supersonic festival review – an awesome windmill of noise and connection
This festival of heavier sounds from the fringes was a blast, from chilling Gazelle Twin to Daisy Rickman’s Krautrock-folk, noise icons Melt-Banana and locals Flesh Creep
Nuala Kennedy and Eamon O’Leary: Hydra review – sumptuous folk songs
With guests including Will Oldham and Anaïs Mitchell, this record’s island setting seems to bring extra light and warmth to stories of the sea, love, work, war and migration
Maestros in Fusion review – virtuosic Indian ensemble knit two traditions together
Six supremely talented jazz and classical instrumentalists, whose humility belies their mastery, all show how malleable and moving their music can be
Womad festival review – wildly entertaining treasure trove for adventurous music fans
Radically inclusive global lineup includes Sampa the Great’s feminist pizzazz, Young Fathers’ twisted genre-splicing and Bixiga 70’s full-tent conga