Plus: Is it time for Spotify to shut down homophobic Jamaican dancehall?
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Picks of the week
Paul Simon on disability, drive and the mystery behind his greatest songs
‘I never said I was going to retire ...’  
Paul Simon on disability, drive and the mystery behind his greatest songs
He halted his career after decades of hits, then a dream one night changed everything. From New York to swinging London and apartheid South Africa, he explains his epic journey
The reader interview  
David Gilmour: ‘The rich and powerful have siphoned off the majority of music industry money’
Feature  
Is it time for Spotify to shut down homophobic Jamaican dancehall?
Some men got made to feel unwelcome at a Last Dinner Party gig? Now you know how the rest of us feel
Laura Snapes
Kris Kristofferson: the soldier turned star made a tough life into tender poetry
Laura Barton
Reviews
Album of the week  
Caribou: Honey – this AI-aided album is dubious on so many levels
Caribou: Honey – this AI-aided album is dubious on so many levels
Coldplay  
Moon Music – ‘live, laugh, love’ in album form
Global album of the month  
Various Artists: Redline Impact – thrilling dive into east Asian hyper-electronics
The Hard Quartet  
Cosmically trippy joy from Stephen Malkmus supergroup
The Smile  
Cutouts – as intricately crafted as Radiohead but with added groove
Anna Butterss  
Mighty Vertebrate – jazz meets post-rock on shape-shifting delight
Spotlight
Amy Lamé has stepped down as London’s night czar – and nightlife could be poorer for it
Music  
Amy Lamé has stepped down as London’s night czar – and nightlife could be poorer for it
Ed Gillett
She was derided as toothless and overpaid – but often by right-wingers with a broader motive. Rather than cheer her departure, let’s advocate for London’s vibrant culture
Classical
Album review  
Stravinsky: Chamber Works – Juilliard and Royal Academy of Music offers much of interest
Stravinsky: Chamber Works – Juilliard and Royal Academy of Music offers much of interest
Album review  
Chopin: Voyage – clarity and sincerity but Avdeeva keeps us at arm’s length
Chopin: Voyage – clarity and sincerity but Avdeeva keeps us at arm’s length
Live review  
Piotr Anderszewski – exceptional, even by his meticulous standards
Piotr Anderszewski – exceptional, even by his meticulous standards
Live review  
Philharmonia/Rouvali – epic Nordic soundscapes of drama and disruption
Philharmonia/Rouvali – epic Nordic soundscapes of drama and disruption
Add to playlist
One to watch  
Frankie Archer
Frankie Archer
You may have missed
I’m visiting every record shop in the UK – here are my 10 favourites
Travel  
I’m visiting every record shop in the UK – here are my 10 favourites
From Orkney to Brighton, independent stores are treasure troves for vinyl hunters and a great way to while away a holiday afternoon
‘No money can make me come back’  
Rapper Nines on grief, ghostwriting and why he’s retiring at 34
Despite legal troubles and personal tragedy, the north-west London rapper has topped the album charts and has a huge date at the O2 lined up for the autumn. So why is he giving it all up?
10 Chaotic Questions  
St Vincent: ‘My most cringeworthy celebrity run-in? I’m sweating right now telling you about it’
The musician talks ghosts, giraffes, and the time she met her favourite actor – with disastrous consequences
Wales  
In 2017, Cardiff’s music scene was collapsing. What’s the secret of its amazing revival?
After protests against redevelopment, the Welsh capital’s council took steps to protect venues and nurture new talent. Artists are heartened – but say more can be done
‘It’s been like banging my head against a brick wall’  
Jake Bugg on class, anxiety and impostor syndrome
Once dubbed ‘Britain’s coolest boy’, the Nottingham singer-songwriter is now 30 and about to release his sixth album. Has he enjoyed his 13 years in the limelight? Not exactly …
Farewell to the car CD player, source of weirdly deep musical fandoms
Laura Snapes
Car manufacturers have stopped including CD players as most drivers use streaming – but with greater choice, are we losing something too?
Live music this week
Godspeed You! Black Emperor  
Urgent intimations of societal collapse
Urgent intimations of societal collapse
Janet Jackson  
Glitz, glamour and a very quick run-through of the hits
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