Album Reviews

AURORA – ‘What Happened To The Heart?’ review: a heavy, ravey call for humanity

The Norwegian art-pop sensation ups the ante on this epic career-high, throwing up shapes along with reasons to live and to love

Tems – ‘Born In The Wild’ album review: soulful, spiritual and self-assured

From Highlife to hip-hop, this stunning debut exemplifies West Africa's rich musical diversity via Tems' fluid approach to genre

Kaytranada – ‘Timeless’ review: huge features and creative evolution

The Canadian producer supplies more dancefloor heaters and a superbly-curated guestlist including Childish Gambino, PinkPantheress and more

Elkka – ‘Prism Of Pleasure’ review: contemplative yet club-ready bangers

This stirring and thoughtful debut proves that the Welsh DJ evidently finds a great sense of catharsis in sharing her world with her listeners

Charli XCX – ‘Brat’ review: pop pioneer fully embraces the dancefloor

Driven by her desire to fully embrace club music, the British artist's sixth record fuses well-earned confidence and vulnerability in thrilling fashion

Peggy Gou – ‘I Hear You’ review: flashes of dance-pop brilliance from superstar DJ

A wide-ranging mix of styles – from piano house to throwback R&B – come together on this joyful if slightly middling LP

K-Trap – ‘Smile?’ album review: drill pioneer makes an emotional breakthrough

The Brixton native reflects on his past troubles and sees the beauty in his burgeoning success on this excellent debut

Ayra Starr – ‘The Year I Turned 21’ review: breathing new life into Afropop

The Beninese-Nigerian artist's second album is pristine, freeing and muscular, proving her ambition comes with deep reserves of resilience

Richard Hawley – ‘In This City They Call You Love’: Sheffield soul man sounds as inspired as ever

The songwriter captures a sense of aching beauty through vivid odes to the characters and architectural quirks of his hometown

Bat For Lashes – ‘The Dream Of Delphi’ review: spiralling symphonies written in the patient gaze of new motherhood

The Ivor Novello-winning artist's sixth record is another compelling listen as Khan moves into a new phase creatively and personally