The Great Escape – review

With massive queues to see the big artists in Brighton, the most appealing perforances were off-piste, writes Alexis Petridis

Cover Drive: Bajan Style – review

Bajan quartet Cover Drive might be just the band to revive the tradition of the summer dancehall hit, writes Alex Macpherson

Poliça: Give You the Ghost – review

Ryan Olson and Channy Leaneagh's lovelorn, electronic R&B veers between styles, and between hits and misses, writes Charlotte Richardson Andrews

Santigold: Master of My Make-Believe – review

Santigold might have kicked off the trend for all-out sonic eccentricity in modern pop, but she sounds strangely subdued today, writes Rebecca Nicholson

Dawn Richard: Armor On – review

Long-time Diddy protege Dawn Richard is blossoming creatively, and setting the pace for modern R&B in the process, writes Alex Macpherson

Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All; Drake – review

Odd Future fail to be as insurrectionary as promised, while Drake carries off his thoughtful R&B with some panache, writes Kitty Empire

Drake – review

A sea of Fake-Baked girls and Dalston hipsters got very excited about this tormented figure pacing the stage, writes Alexis Petridis

Grimes: Visions – review

Claire Boucher's third record as Grimes, but her first to get a large-scale release, is smart, funny and eccentric, writes Rebecca Nicholson

Nicole Scherzinger – review

Scherzinger's set suggests she is a club-level performer who has been elevated beyond her capabilities, writes Caroline Sullivan

Labrinth – review

Labrinth has been called the Heston Blumenthal of music, and this description is earned by Climb on Board, a gleaming pop-rap fusion buried under a landslide of jungle beats, writes Ian Gittins

The Internet: Purple Naked Ladies – review

Odd Future member Syd Bennett voyages to the outer limits of R&B on this deeply strange album, writes Alexis Petridis

Gym Class Heroes/Stooshe – review

The fabulously voiced Stooshe evoke a flashier, trashier Sugababes, while Travie McCoy is a commanding presence for Gym Class Heroes, writes Caroline Sullivan

Boyz II Men – review

They may not be boyz anymore, but Phildelphia's record-breaking R&B titans still provoke screams and squeals from their audience, writes Caroline Sullivan

D’Angelo – review

For his first gig in 12 years, the 'R&B Jesus' has defied expectation to stage a triumphant and celebratory comeback, says Rosie Swash

Childish Gambino – review

When Donald Glover – aka Childish Gambino – announces that he wants to "burn this place to the ground" and then fulfils the metaphor, it's a satisfying shock, writes Mark Beaumont

The Internet: Purple Naked Ladies – review

The latest offshoot from LA hip-hop misfits Odd Future is an intriguing collection of jazzy neo-soul, writes Kitty Empire

The Weeknd: Echoes of Silence – review

The Weeknd's queasy R&B is supposed to explode the myths of the showbiz lifestyle. But is he for real, asks Alexis Petridis

Kelly Rowland: Here I Am – review

Kelly Rowland proves she is more than an X Factor judge and Beyoncé sidekick, reckons Caroline Sullivan

Best albums of 2011, No 3: Frank Ocean – Nostalgia, Ultra

Tim Jonze: Unafraid to tackle suicide, abortion and absent fathers, this free mixtape introduced one of our most refreshing new R&B stars

Best albums of 2011, No 4: Beyoncé – 4

Rebecca Nicholson: The thrill of pop is its instant rush, yet Beyoncé's fourth album was a refined record that showed she was in it for the long haul

Best albums of 2011, No 8: The Weeknd – House of Balloons

Paul Lester: This free download was anything but throwaway. The chillwave-tinged R&B spoke of codeine, cold sex and pills … and invited you to luxuriate in Abel Tesfaye's heartache

Emeli Sandé – review

Hotly tipped R&B singer Emeli Sandé ends her debut UK tour with a performance that confirms her talent, writes Kitty Empire

Jill Scott – review

Jilly from Philly's real strong suit isn't just the incredible voice or virtuoso accompaniment – it's her sisterly sageness, writes Caroline Sullivan

Kelly Rowland: Here I Am – review

Former Destiny's Child vocalist Kelly Rowland has found a Rihanna-style sassiness on her third album, says Hermione Hoby

Mary J Blige: My Life II … The Journey Continues – review

Mary J Blige's sequal to her best album is susprisingly robust, reckons Rebecca Nicholson

Rihanna: Talk That Talk – review

Rihanna is more risqué than ever before on her sixth album, but musically it's a step backwards, says Morwenna Ferrier

Rihanna: Talk That Talk – review

Album No 6 from the Barbadian popstress, and she's filthier than ever, says Rebecca Nicholson

Emeli Sandé – review

Hip-hop hits aside, it's when the Aberdeenshire R&B vocalist is alone at the piano that her voice best reveals its natural soulfulness, writes Malcolm Jack

Coldplay: Mylo Xyloto – review

Coldplay had billed their new album as a move into pop. But Alexis Petridis hears the same old band underneath

Rihanna – review

Rihanna's talents aren't in doubt, but her stage show piles needless rock cliche upon clumsy visual metaphor, writes Kitty Empire

My favourite album: Caught Up by Millie Jackson

Our writers are picking their favourite albums. Here, Suzanne Moore gets caught up in the music of Millie Jackson

My favourite album: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

Our writers are picking their favourite albums. Here, Rebecca Nicholson recalls getting a miseducation from Lauryn Hill

My favourite album: Mama’s Gun by Erykah Badu

Guardian and Observer writers are picking their favourite albums – and Kieran Yates is gunning for Erykah Badu

Bruno Mars – review

Ubiquitous hit-maker Bruno Mars struggles to impose any sense of personality on his superbly crafted songs, writes Gareth Grundy

Toddla T: Watch Me Dance – review

Dance DJ/producer Toddla T's manic second album leaves Killian Fox exhausted