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Music
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The superb Puerto Rican vocalist is now the most streamed artist on Spotify globally, but has never had a UK hit – something he’s determined to change -
Road crews are the hidden victims of Covid’s decimation of live music, but a new benefit record aims to give them a lift
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This week we’ve got some stupidly upbeat pop, a slice of pro-level cheese, and a weirdly festive indie anthem
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4 out of 5 stars.
Crock of Gold A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan – a sombre salute
4 out of 5 stars.Julien Temple rounds up the old gang for bleakly worshipful profile of the recalcitrant Pogues star -
On hiatus since 2017, the Music of Black Origin awards return next week with black British music stronger than ever – but the industry still unequal. Its founder explains the work that needs to be done
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The singer was taking a good-time sound to the world – but after his song Fem became the anthem of the EndSars protesters, he joined them on the streets -
‘Noel Gallagher sent me a text that said: “Eh, you’ve had your first number one.” Then he added: “BUT YOU USED A SYNTHESIZER!”’ -
Better known in the US, the relatively obscure British pop star is set for wider recognition as he takes on Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and more for the top Grammys prize -
The film-maker on his new documentary about the former Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan and Johnny Depp’s role in it
Best music reviews
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3 out of 5 stars.
Alexis Petridis's album of the week Miley Cyrus: Plastic Hearts – too plastic, but has heart
3 out of 5 stars.From floaty synth ballads to punky 80s pop, this album’s middling material doesn’t adequately serve this unusual star
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4 out of 5 stars.
Erica Jeal's classical album of the week Regards sur l'Infini – glowing, intriguing French chamber music
4 out of 5 stars.Katharine Dain and Sam Armstrong have used lockdown to produce a memorable, effortlessly polished album -
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Flohio No Panic No Pain – rapper leaves no mould unbroken
4 out of 5 stars. -
Megan Thee Stallion Good News – galloping into greatness
5 out of 5 stars.
Obituaries
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Innovative technician described as a ‘sonic genius’ by long-time collaborator Quincy Jones also worked with Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, Diana Ross and others -
The musician, who died on Saturday, gave the Oils’ music an unexpected sweetness, but his warmth and humour was the glue that kept them together -
His melodically brilliant powerpop chafed against the 90s indie scene – but the singer, who has died of bowel cancer, should also be remembered for songs made after his band’s fame -
Other lives: An inspirational teacher who was a leading light of modernist music
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As Pills, Thrills and Bellyaches turns 30, revisit our feature on the moment that indie and rave collided and a seismic party began
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By genre
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The pop-metallers’ frontman Oli Sykes has gone from ‘school punching bag’ to chart-topping star – but coronavirus brought back his childhood anxieties
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High-concept pop, gritty post-punk and a rapper’s return add their colour to our countdown – plus a masterclass from an ageing troubadour -
3 out of 5 stars.
Experimental music Rico Nasty: Nightmare Vacation review – offbeat rapper is impossible to ignore
3 out of 5 stars.The high-volume delivery may be an acquired taste but there are gems to be found in this album of chaotic experimentalism
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The superb Puerto Rican vocalist is now the most streamed artist on Spotify globally, but has never had a UK hit – something he’s determined to change
You may have missed
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It was tough being a punk or metal obsessive in a small town. Seven fans who sought love or friendship via music mag ‘lonely hearts’ ads tell us if they found what they were looking for -
Other Music fuelled New York’s 00s indie boom, boasting Vampire Weekend and Animal Collective among its fans. Then it closed. A new documentary tells the story of the store’s tragic demise – and its ‘terrifying’ staff
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A new documentary examines the life of a SoundCloud star turned convicted criminal and a culture that makes us ‘all complicit’ in the rise of dangerous attention-seekers
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A prodigious talent, the young cellist was rewarded with a Deutsche Grammophon contract and toured all over Europe. Why has the ‘German Du Pré’ been forgotten today? A new documentary explores her life and legacy -
Contrary to their dismissive framing as manufactured robots, South Korea’s BTS use social media, documentary and storytelling to make themselves into profoundly human stars -
Giorgio Moroder: ‘The lyrics were written by a guy who came to fix my Ferrari. It won me my third Oscar’
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