GUARDIAN MUSIC
Neuester Inhalt
Grisey: Vortex Temporum album review – bold, assertive interpretation of a masterly score
Ukho Ensemble Kyiv/Gaggero
(Kyiv Dispatch)
Gérard Grisey’s extraordinary expressive work, performed here by Ukraine’s leading new-music group, is one of the finest compositions of the late 20th century
Billy Woods: Golliwog review – one of the most engrossing, unnerving records you’ll hear this year
(Backwoodz Studioz)
The New York rapper confronts trauma and state-sanctioned terror with his latest release, pulling out innumerable images of inhumanity
Lido Pimienta: La Belleza review – Gregorian chant meets dembow rhythm in a work of remarkable depth
(Anti-)
Inspired by the music of Luboš Fiser and Catholic requiem mass, the instrumentals are deft and surprising, but Pimienta’s captivating, flawless vocals steal the show
Brahms: Complete Symphonies album review – period-instrument plushness with modern-instrument refinement
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Gardiner
(Deutsche Grammophon)
In recordings taken from live performances, John Eliot Gardiner conducts the RCO in taut and purposeful readings
PinkPantheress: Fancy That review – sharp-minded bops hop across pop’s past and present
(Warner)
Denigrated by some as the epitome of attention-deficit youth, the English pop musician became huge nonetheless – and her latest has an inspiringly free-associative feel
Jenny Hval: Iris Silver Mist review – intoxicating tribute to the emotive pull of memory
(4AD)
The Norwegian experimentalist’s ninth album is a personal journey through the past and self, focused on the power of scent in evoking forgotten moments
Sun-Mi Hong: Fourth Page: Meaning of a Nest review | John Fordham's jazz album of the month
(Edition)
Ideas of migration and self-discovery inspire the latest album from Hong and her imaginative band, entwined with harmonies and delicate effects
Elgar: The Kingdom review – respectful and admirable, but this is still a work hard to love
Chiejina/Connolly/Hulett/Riches/Crouch End Fest Chorus/London Mozart Players/Temple
(Signum, two CDs)
An excellent choir and impressive soloists do justice to Elgar’s rather inert oratorio but don’t quite match existing recordings
Kurtág: Játékok review – Aimard is perfect guide to major set of piano miniatures
Pierre-Laurent Aimard
(Pentatone, two CDs)
Kurtág himself approved Pierre-Laurent Aimard’s selection of 81 pieces from the composer’s 10 volumes of miniature pieces, now among the past half century’s great achievements
Model/Actriz: Pirouette review | Alexis Petridis's album of the week
(True Panther Sounds/Dirty Hit)
Inspired by Mariah and Kylie but full of jackhammer rhythms and noise, the quartet’s second album could attract a big following
Maria Somerville: Luster review – a vivid and vital entry in the shoegaze revival
(4AD)
The Irish artist’s folk-inflected sound is both unnerving and alluring on her luxuriant second album
Zoé Basha: Gamble review | Jude Rogers's folk album of the month
(Self-released)
The Dublin-based French-American singer and guitarist’s heart is in the Appalachian mountains – but her songs swim from country to blues and French chanson
Hallelujah Junction album review – two-piano journey through 20th-century Americana
Lukas Geniušas, Anna Geniushene
Alpha Classics
The duo’s debut album is a finely balanced and imaginative combination, with John Adams’ eclectic title work the standout
Nicola Benedetti: Beethoven’s Violin Concerto album review – warm and deliciously playful throughout
Benedetti/Aurora Orchestra/Collon
(Decca)
Benedetti and the Aurora, who play from memory, have fun and freedom here, augmenting the role of the drum in an ebullient recording
Self Esteem: A Complicated Woman review | Alexis Petridis's album of the week
(Polydor)
After her big breakthrough and West End fame, Rebecca Lucy Taylor works through her worries in real time on her new album – to fascinating and confusing effect
Idris Ackamoor Ankhestra, Rhodessa Jones, Danny Glover: Artistic Being review – powerful live set from the Afrofuturist and friends
(Strut)
This San Francisco session released for Record Store Day sets spoken word to Ackamoor’s uncompromising but joyous spiritual jazz
Davido: 5ive review – flashes of Afropop excellence
(Columbia)
The Nigerian superstar’s vocal prowess and smooth beats have their moments on his latest album, but at 17 tracks it could use an edit
Julien Baker & Torres: Send a Prayer My Way review – queer country steps out of a classic framework
(Matador)
The Boygenius star and singer-songwriter Torres find the perfect vehicle for their pained and defiant storytelling
Tunde Adebimpe: Thee Black Boltz review – a sparkling solo debut
(Sub Pop)
The TV on the Radio frontman’s sharp pop instincts kick in on a multifaceted synth-punk-funk set born out of deep personal loss
Various artists: Disk Musik – A DD Records Compilation review | Safi Bugel's experimental album of the month
(Phantom Limb)
The 80s label released hundreds of oddball DIY recordings. Their final compilation, now repressed, jerks from folk to punk to ambient – with moments worthy of great kids’ TV