Albums:How Did I Get Here? Louis Tomlinson
Tracks: Lemonade; On Fire; Sunflowers; Lazy; Palaces; Last Night; Broken Bones; Dark To Light; Imposter; Sanity; Jump The Gun; Lucid Label: 78 Productions Limited WithHow Did I Get Here?,Louis Tomlinson delivers the record that finally feels like a true arrival.
Albums: Robbie Williams Britpop
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Bringing things more up to date Human is a ballad which is about artificial intelligence; the track contrasts with what so far has been a very rock-orientated ride. Featuring Mexican pop duo Jesse & Joy and Coldplay’s Chris Martin on one of the best tracks on the album as Williams steers away from Britpop territory.
Albums: Mika Hyperlove
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With Hyperlove, Mika returns to the piano as his creative compass, using it as the starting point for every song. From there, he embarks on a daring reinvention, merging the warmth of analogue imperfections with the pristine pulse of electronic pop. Crafted entirely with analogue and vintage outboard gear, the album feels tactile and alive—a living, breathing landscape full of vulnerability, grit, longing, and euphoria. It’s playful and dramatic but also emotionally grounded, balancing the joy Mika is famous for with a hard-earned sense of perspective.
Classical Music: In Her Hands Piano Trios
The richness and warmth of tone, combined with a thoughtfully curated programme, make this an appealing disc.
Enhanced by Chandos's excellence in recording quality, it has much to commend it in the exquisite phrasing and dynamics.
Classical Music: Listen. It is Here
The poetry ranges widely: from Hildegard of Bingen's mediaeval mysticism through Rilke's metaphysical yearning to the spare modernism of Harold Pinter and the contemporary voice of Selima Hill. Such diverse sources cohere into a convincing artistic statement, which speaks to both the composer's literary sensibility and his ability to find his own idiom while honouring each poet's character.
Albums: If You Go There, I Hope You Find It, The Paper Kites
Much of the album was written at a friend’s farm in the Yarra Valley, and that setting quietly shapes the sound throughout. There is a sense of space and stillness in the music, as though it were written with the doors open and the landscape in view. Even the album title carries that feeling. Co-founder Christina Lacy first wrote the phrase on a fogged-up bus window, a fleeting moment that grew into something more meaningful — a reflection on distance, devotion and the hope that the people you love find what they are looking for, even if you cannot follow them there.
Classical Music: MacDowell Volume 2
The centrepiece, however, is MacDowell's striking Second Piano Concerto. Cooke writes that this would remain the composer's most popular large-scale orchestral work, and among its many memorable later performances was one given by MacDowell himself in London in 1903, shortly before his final decline. MacDowell's reputation as a virtuoso pianist is evident in the work.
Harry Styles - Aperture
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Harry Styles’ Aperture arrives not merely as a comeback, but as a statement of intent. After a period of silence that felt deliberate rather than absent, the long-awaited return proves immediately fruitful, asserting itself with quiet confidence and emotional precision from the very first listen. As the lead single from the intriguingly titled Kiss All The Time.
The Wait Is Over: Harry Styles
From the moment he closed his last tour, the pop world has been holding its breath, scanning socials and setlists for any hint of what Harry Styles might do next. Now, the wait is officially over.
English Touring Opera To Open Tour In Sheffield For First Time
English Touring Opera marks a significant milestone this spring as it opens its first season based in Sheffield, unveiling two contrasting new productions that showcase the breadth of the operatic repertoire.
Albums: Kid Kapichi - Fearless Nature
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Kid Kapichi release its fourth album, where you could be forgiven for thinking that this was not the same band that melted pop, punk and rock into an energetic ball of uplifting songs.
Classical Music: Glorious Kingdom - Anthems From Ripon Cathedral
Ripon's Choral Foundation stands as one of English cathedral music's great success stories. Since Dr Ronny Krippner's appointment as Director of Music in 2022, the transformation has been remarkable—in numbers, quality and ambition. This superb disc provides compelling evidence of his achievement.
The programming proves refreshing
Classical Music: Colours of Bach
The results have a distinctly cinematic quality, with some arrangements conjuring unexpected stylistic echoes. The Ave Maria Variation captivates through its insistent repetition, whilst the Concerto in A minor Variation ingeniously employs the flowing motion of the C major Prelude to accompany the original theme before yielding to improvisatory flourishes—excellent use of the ensemble's resources. Anyone who cut their pianistic teeth on Bach's Minuet in G will relish that particular variation.
BBC Radio 2 Presents A Stellar Line-Up For Piano Room Month
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Radio 2’s Piano Room makes a triumphant return in February on Vernon Kay’s mid-morning show (9:30-12pm weekdays) with 16 incredible live performances from a star-studded line-up including Tori Amos, Melanie C, Mumford and Sons, Pulp, Darius Rucker, Labi Siffre and Squeeze.
Fozzy Return To Rock The North
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Fozzy- the platinum-pounding powerhouse fronted by wrestling and rock icon Chris Jericho, are set to extend their monumental 25th Anniversary shows to the UK this February with the Eyes On You tour and it’s shaping up to be their biggest and boldest run yet.
Award-Winning Violinist Brings A Touch Of Brazilian Magic To Harrogate
The Harrogate International Sunday Series kicks off a brand-new season this month with a performance by Brazilian violinist and rising global star Nathan Amaral. The acclaimed musician, who grew up in a favela in Rio de Janeiro, will take to the stage at the Old Swan Hotel on January 18, where he will be joined by Lithuanian-born pianist Kasparas Mikužis.
Trousdale: Finding harmony in the tension of change
When Trousdale arrive in the UK this February, they do so as a band, very much in their stride – even if that stride has come with a fair share of self-reflection.
Albums: Blue Reflections
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They could have easily taken the easy route and re-recorded their hits or done an album of cover versions; instead, they have given their fans a record for them – and the band themselves – to be proud of.
Albums: Ben Folds Live With The National Symphony Orchestra
Under Steven Reineke’s direction, and during Folds’ time as Artistic Advisor to the Orchestra, this recording captures him stepping into new territory. His piano and vocals are still front and centre, but the orchestral arrangements add a richness and depth that make familiar songs feel fresh.
Classical Music: Dvořák Symphony No. 2 & No. 8
Following last year's well-received Symphonies Nos. 5 and 6, Martín's commitment to championing Dvořák's less frequently performed symphonic works has established itself as a significant project—the first such complete cycle undertaken by an Australian orchestra.
Classical Music: Poema - 2. Terra Nova
Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra continues its ambitious series of Strauss tone poems with Poema - 2. Terra Nova, an imaginative pairing that sets Richard Strauss's Also sprach Zarathustra alongside Ian Cusson's 1Q84: Sinfonietta Metamoderna.
Classical Music: Brahms Symphonies 2 & 4
The Fourth Symphony is exquisitely expressed, the woodwind excels, and the Andante second movement is particularly engaging. The build-up in the finale's last chord is terrific.
These are recordings that should be in every Brahms enthusiast's collection. There are more traditionally Germanic performances available, but this pairing is totally refreshing. If the year continues with this level of quality from both recording engineering and sheer brilliance of playing, we are in for many treats indeed.
Classical Music: In Search Of Youkali - Songs Of Kurt Weill
As one expects from Chandos, the sound engineering is first-class, and the booklet notes—complete with translations of the German and French numbers—provide exemplary context.
For lovers of this genre and devotees of Weill, this is essential listening. Full marks to the curation of this disc and to Bray's impeccable voice—a captivating release.
Albums: Alter Bridge - Alter Bridge
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Recorded last spring at the legendary 5150 Studios in California and a Baskette’s studio in Florida, the sunshine has had an effect on the band, with many of the new tracks bursting with energy, enthusiasm and the powerful vocal chemistry between guitarists Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti bursting with life.
Leeds Song Festival Announces 2026 Programme
Leeds Song Festival returns from Saturday 11 April to Saturday 18 April 2026, bringing together some of the world’s most captivating voices, inspiring musicians, cutting-edge creators, and rising stars for a packed week-long celebration of art song.
In Conversation With Craig David
Twenty-five years ago, a then largely unknown Craig David dropped his debut album, Born To Do It, a record which became a landmark in UK garage and British R&B and instantly made its creator a household name. By the time the album’s era came to a close, he had also claimed three Ivor Novellos, his first four MOBO Awards, two Grammy nominations, and two MTV Europe Awards.
Classical Music: Vikingur Ólafsson: Opus 109
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Vikingur Ólafsson: Opus 109 J.S. Bach The Well-Tempered Clavier I Prelude No. 9 in E Major, BWV 854; Partita No. 6 in E Minor, BWV 830; French Suite No 6 Sarabande; Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 27 in E Minor, Op. 90; Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109; Schubert Piano Sonata No. 6 in E Minor, D.
Classical Music: Let All The World In Every Corner Sing
Cole also captures the wonderful harmonics and rhythmic vitality of Matthew Martin's organ solo work, St Albans triptych. The use of colour from the Ely instrument makes for an exciting performance.
The sound engineering is excellent; the balance between voices and organ superbly captured in the acoustics of Ely Cathedral.
This is a fabulous disc that deserves the widest possible audience
Albums: Incognito.Music, Magic, Ironic
The cool, soulful, jazz-infused sounds of Incognito are always a perfect soundtrack to a hot summer day spent under a blue sky as a welcoming summer breeze cools the air.
Conversely, the band has decided to release their twentieth album in winter; since the release occurred on Christmas Day, this sublime set of songs serves as a gift to both old and new fans, warming hearts and souls throughout the winter months.
Albums Of The Year 2025: 20 To 1
Sabrina Carpenter continues to dominate the UK music scene, having claimed the biggest album of the year. Interestingly, in her wake are a series of retrospective collections from the likes of Oasis, Ed Sheeran and Fleetwood Mac, before Sam Fender makes the list at #6.