Eurovision has faced political boycotts before – how does the latest compare?
Decision by four countries to pull out over Israel’s inclusion is significant for the contest but crisis may not be existential
I spent hours listening to Sabrina Carpenter this year. So why do I have a Spotify ‘listening age’ of 86?
Many users of the app were shocked, this week, by this addition to the Spotify Wrapped roundup – especially twentysomethings who were judged to be 100
Five of the best music books of 2025
From an enraging indictment of Spotify to Del Amitri frontman Justin Currie’s account of Parkinson’s and a compelling biography of Tupac Shakur, here are five titles that strike a chord
Add to playlist: DJ Moopie’s charmingly moody experimental compilations and the week’s best new tracks
Connoisseurs of all things delicate and deeply felt will love the music put out by A Colourful Storm, the Melbourne-based DJ’s indie label
HMS Pinafore review – carry on up the poop deck in ENO’s daffy Gilbert and Sullivan staging
Packed full of physical comedy and double-entendres, Cal McCrystal’s production is brought to vibrant life by a strong cast, with Mel Giedroyc an engagingly anarchic presence
Melody’s Echo Chamber: Unclouded review – an enchanted, balmy garden of dreampop
Blooming strings, mellifluous guitars and airy vocals make Melody Prochet’s fourth album a calming place to visit – even if there’s a lack of standout tracks
Laura Cannell: Brightly Shone the Moon review – bleakness and beauty in a haunting carol collection
The violinist sets out on her darkest exploration of yuletide yet, giving a murky and melancholy twist on familiar Christmas standards
This Is Lorelei: Holo Boy review – sweet-sad songs from a new pearl of the US alt scene
One half of Water From Your Eyes re-records songs from the back catalogue of his other band, resulting in acoustic fare touched with regret and darkness
Strauss: An Alpine Symphony; Four Songs Op 27 album review – nothing is overblown or indulgent
Conductor Nicholas Collon keeps the sound clean and the pace dynamic in a bracing recording, while, in the Four Songs op 27, Louise Alder is unfailingly communicative
‘Constant stimulation, dopamine overload’: how EsDeeKid and UK underground rap exploded on a global scale
With an experimental and maxed-out sound, bold new MCs are emerging from all corners of the UK – and with US rap in the doldrums, the time is ripe for another British Invasion
Four countries to boycott Eurovision 2026 as Israel cleared to compete
Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and the Netherlands pull out after decision not to hold vote on Israel’s participation
‘A little less cool’: Spotify’s listening age feature stirs delight and dismay
Some users jump generations in expanded Wrapped review while Taylor Swift tops UK streams for third year
Post your questions for Chrissie Hynde
The Pretenders star will take on your questions as she releases an album of duets
From Otis Redding to Booker T, Steve Cropper was a strong yet subtle force that shaped so many soul classics
The guitarist for Booker T & the MGs defined the sound of original R&B, co-creating soul anthems and proving himself one of the most influential musicians of the 60s
Nash Ensemble: Ravel album review – catches the music’s dazzling light and intriguing shade
The chamber group’s all-Ravel CD is an impeccable farewell to its much-missed founder