Nadia Reid: Enter Now Brightness review – a restorative balm of folk-tinged songwriting
Like a more genteel and jaunty Laura Marling, the singer-songwriter’s exquisite voice and timeless simplicity make her fourth album a very reassuring companion
Olly Alexander: Polari review – Hi-NRG throwback for the Radio 2 crowd
The actor-singer’s solo debut proper looks to 1980s gay clubland for inspiration, but plays it too safe under all the retro synths and stammered-vocal effects
The Brian Jonestown Massacre review – psych-rock survivors play it safe
Anton Newcombe and co rummage through the rock history books, but lack the danger and unpredictability their reputation was built on
The Weeknd: Hurry Up Tomorrow review – a record that will floor you … and drive you up the wall
On a somewhat exhausting sixth album, Abel Tesfaye uses Brazilian funk, punishing house and lush 70s soul to press great songs into the service of rotten lyrics
Teddy Swims: I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2) review – extra-size emotion
The huge-voiced Atlantan behind last year’s megahit Lose Control is back, and in love, on this unignorable, playlist-pleasing follow-up
Manic Street Preachers: Critical Thinking review – older and wiser
The Welsh rockers’ 15th album finds them in thought-provoking mood
Lady Blackbird review – flamboyance and nuance from late-blossoming jazz-soul star
Behind the impressive Grace Jones-esque stage outfits, the US singer is blessed with both lung power and sensitivity
Mogwai: The Bad Fire review – a flame that still burns bright
Conceived in troubled circumstances, the Glasgow band’s follow-up to their 2021 chart-topper As the Love Continues is compelling balm
FKA twigs: Eusexua review – a hymn to the healing power of the dancefloor
Coining a word to describe a particular state of euphoria, twigs effortlessly juggles left-field digitals and club pop tunes on album No 3
Teddy Swims: I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2) review – retro soul with a retro lyrical attitude
The soft-alpha streaming sensation behind Lose Control returns with more of the same Motown and Stax pastiches, with the odd diversion into soft rock
Tina Turner: Hot for You Baby review – she’s in fine voice, but this lost 1984 song is no classic
Dug out of the vault for a 40th anniversary version of Private Dancer, this glossy rock track gains much-needed rawness from Turner
Lloyd Cole review – still causing a gentle commotion
The singer-songwriter’s voice has got even better with age – a shame, then, that the crowd just want to hear his 80s hits
Madison Cunningham review – complex new tunes from a folk singer with a knack for a twist
The Los Angeles musician is developing a heavier, rockier sound than before, but her astonishing voice and intuitive melodies are as strong as ever
Victoria Canal: Slowly, It Dawns review – a musical promise fulfilled
The Chris Martin-feted Spanish American singer-songwriter delivers a debut album that is mainstream pop fare but packed with variety and nuance
Songhoy Blues: Héritage review – the Malian rockers take a gorgeous acoustic turn
Close harmonies and delicate percussion front and centre showcase the band’s songwriting finesse on their beguiling fourth album