Paul McCartney: The Boys of Dungeon Lane review – at 83, his gift for melody still astounds
From nostalgic returns to his Liverpool childhood to a crazed Glastonbury fantasia, these are songs written with real purpose and a master’s finesse
Boards of Canada: Inferno review – after 13 years away, their prodigal return is a big disappointment
The Scottish electronic duo remain hugely influential – but their new album’s interrogation of religion is dubious, and the drum programming is worse still
Doja Cat review – pop superstar or true freak? US iconoclast plays the tension to perfection
Moving seamlessly through extravagant choreography between bubblegum–rap and darker, rockier material, the singer is always in full command
Harry Styles review – a genuinely charismatic performer who has pulled off one of the hardest tricks in pop
Johan Cruijff Arena, the NetherlandsStyles’ first stop in his Together, Together tour, which will see him perform lengthy residencies around the world, is a reminder of how talented he is
Dua Saleh: Of Earth and Wires review – ambitious confrontation of global catastrophe is surprisingly cautious
While the first track is a scorching mix of poetry, rap, falsetto vocals and acoustic guitar, elsewhere the Sudanese-American’s second album feels a little underbaked
Genesis Owusu: Redstar Wu & the Worldwide Scourge review – political fury and propulsive fun
Seething with righteous anger and moshpit-ready tracks, the Australian artist’s genre-hopping but cohesive LP makes a case for the durability of the form
Angine de Poitrine review – alien rock duo’s UK debut is hypnotic, harebrained and 100% worth the hype
The polka-dotted phenomenon land their spaceship in Leeds for an ecstatic show that balances supremely complex musicianship with ridiculous good fun
Super Furry Animals review – stirring reunion showcases immaculate songcraft
The Welsh band with a weird edge mostly let their formidable music speak for itself, lent a transcendent power by frontman Gruff Rhys’s rich voice
PinkPantheress review – singer proves she’s ready for pop’s A-list at sensational New York show
The viral star electrified Brooklyn with winking visuals, self-aware humor and a slew of special guests
Charli xcx: Rock Music review – is she really pivoting from pop? Don’t be so sure …
The lyrics may argue the dancefloor is dead, but this funny, wilfully plasticky new single isn’t the total about-turn from Brat that fans expected
Paul Simon review – at 84, back on stage after hearing loss, his resolute artistry is inspiring
What Simon has lost in vocal power he has added in intimacy and authority – and this hushed performance makes for an arena concert like no other
Ana Roxanne: Poem 1 review – a stunning pop balladeer emerges from the haze
Essaying a broken heart, the New Yorker puts her voice front and centre for her most accessible work yet, though still with unexpected details – and a Schumann cover
Aldous Harding: Train on the Island review – even whimsy-resistant listeners will love these lucid, luminous songs
Lyrics about naked owls and eating rocks might be irksome to some – but there’s no denying that the alt-rocker’s fifth album is beguiling, tightly written and richly melodic
Rosalía review – ribcage-rattling riot is one of the boldest, most highbrow arena shows in pop history
The ambition of 2025 album Lux is scaled up even bigger by the Catalan megastar, delivered with operatic vocals and en pointe ballet moves as well as funny asides and glasses of wine
Kneecap: Fenian review – their new album is terrific, triumphant yet tortured
With strong words for Keir Starmer, the Irish rave-rap trio remain unbowed by the controversy around them – and yet this is a more ruminative record than you might expect