Inspired by her father’s release from prison, Annie Clark’s new album asks where to run when ‘the outlaw’s inside you’. She discusses his incarceration, the delusions of love – and why she remains as perverse as ever
Having earned a cult audience for her psychedelia, Weaver makes her version of a pop record, where Kylie-level hooks are set against hallucinatory backings
Our countdown is complete, topped by a mercurial work of sprawling invention by a woman who has dug deep to survive. Taken as a whole, these choices contain drama, solace, poetry and fire, a fitting selection for a turbulent year
When the shock-rocker returned to the place of his birth in the 60s, he found a raw paradise of unsegregated rock’n’roll. As Cooper releases an album celebrating the city, he and his peers relive one of the US’s greatest music scenes
The Fania All-Stars player and record label-impresario worked with Latin music giants including Celia Cruz and fostered a more intense, political salsa sound
Twelve years after Kirsty MacColl's untimely death,
Michael Hann talks to her friends and family as the singer-songwriter's first four albums are re-released
The Rotherham electronic musician is using his skills to tackle dementia, teach children and collaborate across the globe – and dreams of a club where the dancers play the drum machines
Each month we add 20 new songs to our Spotify playlist. Read about 10 of our favourites here – and subscribe on Spotify, which updates with the full list at the start of each month
A real-life inspiration for Jack Black’s School of Rock, the Melbourne institution became the Kings Cross Conservatorium – but its ethos of equality remains
For a teenager steeped in Welsh choir music, Michael Stipe’s kaleidoscope of artistic influences – and mega-success – were too irresistible not to follow
Alexis Petridis's album of the week Jane Weaver: Flock – triumphantly twisting pop music to her own ends
4 out of 5 stars.