Album Reviews

BTS – ‘Arirang’ review: Korea’s pop kings make a grand return

After nearly four years, the world-conquering boyband are back, bringing with them new reflections on life and shining light on more facets of their cultural heritage

CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso – ‘Free Spirits’ review: a restless ride through fame and fatigue

The Argentinian hitmakers’ ambitious sophomore album spins between swagger and self-doubt, capturing both their brilliance and burnout

Underscores – ‘U’ review: zeitgeisty hyperpop for an overstimulated, isolated generation

A tour-de-force of production chops that cements April Harper Grey as a key auteur in the future of the genre

Jack Harlow – ‘Monica’ review: pivot into jazzy R&B struggles to leave a lasting impact

Abandoning rap in favour of mellow beats and soft, introspective verses, Harlow's fourth album is perhaps too much of an easy listen

Chalk – ‘Crystalpunk’ review: a knockout collection of arresting dance-punk

Contending with identity on both a human and national level, the Belfast duo’s stunning debut album wields intensity to unite industrial, post-punk and techno soundscapes

Kim Gordon – ‘Play Me’ review: the godmother of alt-rock fearlessly turns to beats

Life begins at 72 as the Sonic Youth icon deconstructs these doom-scrolling times via a trip-hop driven nightmare

Denzel Curry & The Scythe – ‘Strictly 4 The Scythe’ review: a fun, freewheeling rap link-up

Curry and friends show love to the Dirty South with their genre-hopping experiment, even if it swings a little too wide

Waterbaby – ‘Memory Be A Blade’ review: a collection of soft sounds and hard truths

Growing from her bedroom pop beginnings, the Swedish artist’s debut album is a quiet revelation

COBRAH – ‘Torn’ review: industrial club pop that unfurls on an introspective knife’s edge

On the NME Cover star’s debut album, she finds the sweet spot between domination and her newfound sense of vulnerability

Harry Styles – ‘Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally’ review: pop superstar lets the light in

The former One Direction star’s fourth album finds him taking a new approach to life – and to music – with liberating results